Looking for Ways to Save Money This Christmas? -November Radio Column

November radio column is posted up! Take a listen to hear some ways to save money this Christmas. Then share your ideas here or on our facebook page. To listen to the radio column click here. To share on our Facebook page click here.  On the column we talked about the 4 gift rule. What are you thoughts?

Christmas has Come and Gone, and Now...

We need a reality check. How many of you paid cash for your Christmas? How many of you paid it on credit? How many of you know how much you spent? How many of you stayed on a budget?


Lots of questions.

As this is a beginning of a new year, I have a challenge for you. Will you except it?

I sure hope so.

Right now, or as soon as you are near the place that your receipts are kept, I want you to go and gather all of your Christmas expenses. Now tally them up.

Is it as much, less, or more than you expected?

Now I would like you to take that amount and divide it by the amount of pays you have in a calendar year.

The goal is to take that amount from each pay this year and set it in A SEPARATE ACCOUNT for the year. By Christmas, you will have almost your entire money ready, with maybe one more paycheque to arrive.

Don't you feel relief already?

Do you have a different way of saving for Christmas? Please share it with us.

Enjoy!

Gift Giving Frugal Idea

As we all know Christmas is over commercialized. Our society is about getting more, bigger, better and spending more than others.

I saw this picture on someone's facebook this week and thought it exemplified a true frugal, simple Christmas and wanted to pass it on to you, my frugal friends. How do you determine the amount/type of gifts you give?

Enjoy!

Tis the season...

Today on my way to an appointment, I saw a Christmas hat that said, "Tis the Season to be Broke!" I felt so sorry for the truth that seems to be behind this saying and that doesn't need to be there. We are truly a consumer society. Want more, need more, buy more. Especially at Christmas. By bigger, better and newer! I saw Christmas items in the store before Hallowe'en was even over. The Sears Christmas Wishbook was out in the summer! What has happened with the season?!

This Christmas season I challenge you to become a little more frugal and simplistic with your gift giving. It's not the amount of money or the amount of presents you buy or get, it's the thought that goes into them.

This year, why not think of donating a gift to charity in the name of someone you are buying for. By doing this, it helps out someone who truly needs it and saves the person on your list from having to find room for another thing in their home. One great way of giving to someone truly in need is by making a shoebox full of fun and sending it with Operation Christmas Child, what a great way to help out someone else and to give the gift in the name of someone on your list.

To look for other ways to make your Christmas more frugal, check out our archives of Christmas frugal posts here.

What do you do to make your Christmas season a little less stress free and a little more frugal?

Enjoy your day!

Frugal Christmas Gift

Are you done all you need to get done for Christmas next week?

Well if you are in the midst of trying to get everything bought and are still looking for a frugal, thoughtful gift, I have an idea for you.

What about a photobook?

These are great for gifts to grandparents, siblings, and children alike. The cheapest I have found is around $10 and they go up from there. With Kodak, the cut off date was December 12, but do not fear! Walmart has a one hour photobook!

(http://www.walmartphotocentre.ca/express/express_landing.aspx?q=1TNdPiVTZ7l80_liCae7L89OlhPJ2nzZqE,bjPllAUhV9ug1xYva5_Ws7d8vQtEa3jPi0imqX8jBlk8tP,6xvkg--)

Simply go online and load up your pictures and they email you when they're done. As an aside, my two books that I ordered ended up taking 3 hours, but I felt this was still great as everywhere else wouldn't even have been done by Christmas.

How can anyone not like getting a book of photos of the past year or of their life or a wonderful event? Touching, frugal and will be much appreciated.

Enjoy your day!

This Christmas - be more frugal

I had an interesting conversation with a friend the other day regarding Christmas presents being purchased for her children. She was feeling horrible because the item that her daughter truly wanted was less than $20. She was worried that she wasn't spending enough on her daughter.

Isn't it amazing how marketing effects us?

Marketing tells our children that they NEED this and that and ask for this and ask for that. This is cool, if you don't have it, you're not cool. They have it all around them with commercials, magazines, school and friends.

(One of the many reasons that I don't have cable here, I don't like my children being influenced by what the commercials say is the neatest thing that they need. I love that they come up with what they truly want. Sorry for the rant.)

Unfortunately, it seems to effect us as adults. We are programmed that if we love our child, we will spend a certain amount on them. If we spend less, we must not love them.

Does a dollar amount really say how much we love our children?

Think back to last Christmas and all that you bought for the children in your life. What are they still playing with? What were they still playing with 6 months, 4 months or even a month after Christmas?

Recently I listened to someone who gave a talk about what people remember or cherish about Christmas. Not one person said about a gift that they got. All talked about playing a game with family, smelling a wood fire, eating sweets, attending Church, doing service for others.

Please don't buy things for the sake of buying things. It won't get used, it will just collect dust, and you'll have wasted your money. This Christmas be more frugal.

So this Christmas, I challenge you to look around, talk to the people that you WANT to get gifts for and find out what they truly want, need or will use. It doesn't matter the amount you spend, or if you spend anything! It matters about the love you're sharing. It's about remembering the real reason for the season -Christ.

And as a Christmas present to me, feel free to share a thought or two of what your memories of Christmas are that didn't cost any money or even better, no money.

Enjoy your day!

Christmas is coming!

Last year, we had a bunch of posts on here discussing ideas on how to be frugal at Christmas and some ideas to make it through that time.

Hopefully, you have already started your preparations. If not, check out this category list for you to get your thinking caps on.


Enjoy your day!

My Fantastic Deal Last Week!

I just had to share what I was able to get last week. I feel so excited! Remember when I posted about the coupons for the games on the back of the Rice Krispie boxes? The one for $10 off board games? (There are still some available at Walmart btw) And remember when I posted about starting your Christmas shopping WAY early? Well last week, I used two of these coupons when Zellers had a bunch of games onsale for $15 from $23 regular. I bought two of these games for gifts for this year and with the sale and my two $10 coupons, I only paid $15 with tax! I saved $32 on board games. Can I just say here that I can't believe how expensive games are?

Last week, I also cashed in on my raincheque that I had from Sobeys for their steaks that they had onsale a month ago of buying one steak and getting two free. I bought 18 really great steaks for $50! Would have regularly cost me over $150! Gotta love it! Not only was this a great deal, but because I had a raincheque for such a quantity, the butcher had to go and cut fresh steak in the back room for me. Really fresh meat.

I love a deal. I would love to hear about great deals that you found recently. Post a comment here for bragging rights.

Enjoy your day!

Thinking of Christmas for next year?

Remember, this was the first tip I gave you for a frugal Christmas? Well, my husband gave me a site that lists the flyers for boxing day sales as they get them. Check it out! Hope you enjoyed the frugal Christmas tips. This time really, I will won't be back until after Christmas holidays.

Merry Christmas!

For Boxing Day sale flyers click here.

Enjoy your day!

Last Christmas Frugal Idea

Are you still looking for a gift and live on PEI or are buying a gift for someone here on the Island? I was contacted about the books of gift coupons that you are able to get. They are only $25 and have LOTS of 2 for 1 deals inside. Here are some of the ideas that are in there:

2010 Super Value Coupon Book is now on sale and

is the biggest and best edition yet!

• All offers are 2 for 1 or Buy One - Get 1 Free
• No restrictions, No days of the week restrictions
• All coupons start from date of book purchase and are valid till Dec.31, 2010
• All Coupons are transferrable (don't have to stay in the book)
• Books are only $25 and you get over $2,700 in potential savings!

* All offers have (2) coupons per book unless otherwise indicated.

Food

A & W - Bacon & Egger $2.49

A & W - Sausage & Egger $2.49

A & W - Deluxe Breakfast $4.39

A & W - Teen Burger, Fries & Pop $8.07

Beanz - Specialty Coffee $3.99

Big Burger - Cheeseburger $3.45

Big Burger - Crispy Fries $3.99

Boston Pizza - Kids Meal FREE

Boston Pizza - Appetizer 9.95

Brackley Drive In - Popcorn & Pop

Brits Fish & Chips - Appetizer $9.95

Captain Sub - 1/2 Sub $5.29

Causeway Bay Linkletter - Entre' $15.00

Dairy Queen - Chicken Sandwich Basket $6.99

Dairy Queen - Medium Blizzard $4.49

Dominos - Large Pizza $23.25

Dominos - XLarge Pizza - $29.75

Fitz Cafe - Cheeseburger Platter $5.95

Globe World Flavours - Soup & Sandwich $9.95

Globe World Flavours - Dessert $7.00

Great Canadian Bagel - Cream Cheese Bagel $3.39

Greco - 12" Pizza $16.70

Greco - 1/2 lb Donair $6.90

Greco - 12" Garlic Fingers $9.75

Juice Zone - Breakfast Wrap $7.98

Juice Zone - Macha Green Tea Smoothie $5.21

Little Christos - 9" Pizza $11.88

(1) Lot 30 - Appetizer $10.00

(1) Mel's Petro Canada - Fresh To-Go Sub $4.29

Parkdale Ultramar - 2 Piece Fish & Chips $6.99

Parkdale Ultramar - Cheeseburger Platter $5.99

Parkdale Ultramar - Daily Special $8.49

Pita Express - Pita Combo $8.99

Razzy's Roadhouse - Famous Razzy's Platter - $8.79

Richard's Seafood - Steamed Mussells - $7.75

Rollo Bay Greens - Double Burger & Fries - $8.95

Sam's Restaurant - 12" Pepperoni Pizza $12.99

Seatreat - Fish Burger Platter - $8.15

Shaddy's - Appetizer $6.95

Smitty's - Classic Burger $8.99

The Old Triangle - Brunch $11.00

Timothy's - Specialty Coffee $5.00

(1) Winsloe Petro Canada - Fresh To-Go Sub $4.29

Entertainment, Golf, Services, Retail

Absolutely Fabulous Tanning Package $30.00

Alanna's Photography 16x20 Portrait Enlargement $250.00

All Occasion Florist - Boquet $10

All Occasion Florist - Helium Balloon $5.00

Booktales - Books $50

Brackley Drive-In - Round of Mini Golf $5.00

Brookvale Skiing - Cross Country Pass & Rental $18.00

(1) CARI Pool - General Admission $6.00

Clyde River Golf - Green Fee $40.00

Combat Zone - 20 minute Lazer tag 8.50

Curves - 1 Month Membership $55.00

Dianna's Grooming - Pet Nail Clipping FREE $10.00

Dynamic Fitness - Drop In Class - $15.00

Faces - Lipstick $14.50

Faces - Nail Polish $7.50

Flower Buds - Boquet $10.00

Forest Hills Golf - Green Fee $23.00

French River Golf - Green Fee $20.00

Good Taxi - Cab Ride - $7.50

Healthy Vibes - Detox Session $25.00

Island Web It - Web hosting $38.85

Lou Lou Clothing - Watch $15.00

Naturally Fit - T-Shirt $24.99

(1) Oland's Barber Shop - American Crew Hair Gel $14.75

Oredco - Bag of Compost $6.00

Personal Trainers - Starter Package $99.00

Repeats Clothing - Merchandise $10.00

Rollo Bay Greens - Green Fee $19.92

Sherwood Pharmacy - Sunglasses $25.00

Smooth Cycle - Bike, Ski or Snowboard Tune-up $35.00

Stanhope Golf Course - Twilight Green Fee $40.00

Strathgartney Highlands Golf - Twilight Green Fee $15.00

Stratford Video - DVD Rental $4.75

Sun City Tanning - Tan $8.78

That's Entertainment - DVD Rental $5.37

The Box Office - Movie Rental $5.00

T-Zone - 3 T Zone Sessions $21.00

Wentworth - Lift Pass $33.63

Winter Bay Campground - Tent Site $12.99

Offers are All 2 for 1 - All the time!

ORDER your own book or as a gift/stocking stuffer and get

SAMEDAY DELIVERY FREE within greater the Charlottetown area

Phone 626-7538 or 940-7917.

email orders to svcbook@gmail.com

Hope you are all ready for Christmas. I am almost there. I am going to take a vacation from posting for the next week and a bit and will be back in the new year with more tips and a different area of frugality. Please send in your ideas and thoughts either through comments or to smile_zil at yahoo dot ca.

Merry Christmas and

Enjoy your day!

One BIG Gift Idea

I must admit, that I am starting to run out of ideas of frugality for Christmas. Thankfully, my husband reminded me of one of the main things that we do here that I haven't posted about.

Right now, I would like you to think about how much money you spend on your significant other for Christmas and how much they spend on you. Have the dollar amount in your head? Ok, now think about how much each of you spend on birthday presents for each other and add that on. Now add Valentine's Day, Mother and Father's Day and anniversary gifts. Have a grand total? Does it surprise you?

When we did this several years ago it totally surprised us how much we spent. We decided then and there that it had to stop. There were so many other things that we wanted to get that we couldn't get because of all of the taken presents that need to be given. So we tried something new.

We decided to buy one big gift each year for us that would encompass all of the gift giving holidays and we would decide on the gift together. Sometimes, it's something for the home, sometimes more for one person than the other, sometimes it's something that we both really want. For example; one year we bought new bookshelves and an entertainment stand, another year we bought a new monitor for the computer, another year a video camera and another year a recumbent stationary bicycle to be able to workout on at home. We still get something small for Christmas to open with the family. And it truly is something small that we want or need; pj's, movies, chocolates, you know, something SMALL.

Take a chance to think about it and the amount of money and stress it can save you.

Enjoy your day!

8 sleeps left

That certainly doesn't sound like much time in my mind with all that I am still behind on, but it does leave time for a couple of more posts before Christmas. Today, let's think about those that have control, uh, time in our children's lives when we, the parents, aren't around. That's right, I am thinking of teachers, bus drivers, daycare providers and support staff etc.

Many schools are now saying not to bring in a gift to the teacher because of tight times and they don't want other children to feel bad, but some schools still allow it and some people just still give a gift anyway. So what do you give? You know you want to give something that is going to be practical and economical - and preferably not a mug, a teacher can only drink so much right?

Some ideas have been mentioned before like baked goods or homemade ornaments, but there are other ideas out there.

Why not make a donation to a charity in their name?

Donate a book to the library in their name. Record a book on tape for the classroom.

Have your child make up coupons for the teacher to be able to use. Examples for teachers would be:

Promise not to talk to my friends during the class for one day.

Will clean chalkboard/wipeboard for you.

Will pick up litter in classroom.

Will straighten all the chairs in the classroom.

Will clean up books and toys.

Will water classroom plants.

Will run errands for you today.

The list can go on and on the more you think about it.

Other ideas may be donating a game to the class for rainy day recesses. Paper for the printer. New markers or paints. Flash cards. Other supplies that may be running low or would be extra special.

Food for the class pet or even a class pet. Fish are not expensive if they already have a tank. Or you could even donate a tank that you have at your home that you aren't using any more.

Again, plants are always a wonderful idea. They brighten the classroom and help with the air quality.

Offer to help with an after school project or to come in to volunteer at the school. Every school needs volunteers.

The list can go on and on. What are you doing for your educational staff this year? Please share with us.

Enjoy your day!

PS. With Christmas coming to an end soon, I am looking to start a couple of new series in the new year for being frugal. What are some areas that you would like to learn more about being frugal in? Please email myself or list a comment. Would love to hear from you.

Homemade Frugal Christmas Gifts

Alright ladies and gentlemen,

Here is the list you have all been waiting for: the easy homemade Christmas list. I have compiled, from my own library, reader submissions and research online, a list of homemade items that are easy, economical and frugal for your perusal. They take no time at all, are great for neighbours, teachers, nieces and nephews, your own children, or anyone else you can think of. Be prepared, this is a LONG post with LOTS of pictures.

To start the list, take a look around your home and all the plants in it. Are there some that are over crowding their pots? Some that you don't want around anymore? Some that you just don't have the time to care for anymore? Why not regift them to someone else? Split the plants and pot them in lovely new containers and wrap them up with a beautiful bow and instructions on how to care for them. They would be much appreciated.

You took the perfect picture this summer, fall, spring, winter, candid moment and you don't just want it on your desktop. Why not get it printed off (costs pennies) and get a second hand frame to repurpose and send it off to someone as a gift. Wonderful thought. Much easier than making a picture frame. Trust me. I checked it out.

Another painting gift that is so appreciated is a child's painting. You can get canvas, paints, pastels and other media at Dollarama. They also have some paint by numbers there as well that would be great to try out. Either frame it or leave it on a shelf for a wonderful gift.

Then there are always the wonderful food presents. Homemade bread, jam, salsas are wonderful things from your pantry. Put a pretty ribbon or place it in a basket with some homemade linen napkins or place mats and your all set.

Then you can always do soup, brownies, and cookies in a jar.

(Photo from http://www.nhmade.com/listdetail.cfm?recordID=214)

Ever try to make homemade chocolates? My husband loves to make these for presents. I have never tried them, but here is a place to check out how to do it.

Jelly beans in a jar with a prescription for when to eat them is a great idea for children. Red for happiness. Green for health. Yellow for sadness, etc.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfWp7AfXpMpJLBgYxBImwuMDvLHoFB4xdpmsZbGWCldm1tk5tJHdDF0fA0whhupzmqOiLKTv8_Bqmv4j3UDCxcYQEoyH2gab00GjPy5fyhVrWNotbSlbN5IlJ9HisWCEGG9yzADcYmxJB/s1600-h/CANDYLOGOsat.jpg)

Homemade playdoh (saltdough) and some cookie cutters are a great gift.

(http://crunchydomesticgoddess.com/2008/11/10/easy-peasy-playdough-recipe/)

Then you can make a smelly gift of potpourri. This site has recipes for a bunch of different types of potpourri.

Another smelly recipe is for homemade bathbombs, bath salts, bubble bath and bath oils.

In the mood and have the time to sew? Why not make something for everyone?

How about some polar fleece mitts, hat and scarf? Or knit them? Check out this site for wonderful ideas, lots of wonderful recycled handmade items and directions.

Want to make a pair of pj's? Here is an easy, free pattern to make these lovely pants.

How about a tooth pillow for the little ones? The tooth fairy would never lose a tooth from these.

Or special pillow cases for a child? Learn how to make one here.

Every child loves to throw things. Give them something softer to throw, like bean bags.

And then, to end them all, why not wrap them in a reusable gift bag that you made that they can use for their groceries, or whatever else? Tipnut has links for 35 patterns. Check them out.

(http://unabashed.wordpress.com/make-a-reusable-grocery-bag/)

What are you doing for homemade frugal gifts this year? Let us know!

Enjoy your day!

Wrapping it up.

We are coming down to the wire. How are you doing with your preparations? Wrapping any presents yet? How do you go about wrapping them?

Here, I save every gift bag that was ever given. You never know when you will need one. I save all the reusable tissue paper as well. We use some gift wrap that we usually buy in bulk after the season, and we use parcel paper. Works wonderfully. Fun to decorate. And it's cheap if you get it at a dollar type store.

There are also flyers, newspapers, and tea towels to wrap in. Your present can be the gift, or at least part of it. Blankets, bags, and old boxes from other products are useful.

My grandmother always did the last one. She would save all her cereal, cookie, and other product boxes and then wrap everyone's gift in those first. It was always a surprise when you opened it. I was sure one time it would actually be what was on the box!

Sometimes just a simple ribbon around the gift will do.

So how do wrap your presents?

Enjoy your day!

Frugal Christmas Entertainment

Christmas is a wonderful time with lots going on, both with family and friends and in our community. With money being spent on gifts, groceries and travel, it would be nice if something were free out there and really spoke about the reason for the season: the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Well, here in Charlottetown I can tell you about two different events that will be taking place over the next two weekends that cover both ends of it: Free and the proper reason for the season.

The first one is taking place this weekend December 12-13 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 10 Northridge Pkwy behind the KFC. Saturday and Sunday night they will be having three showings (7pm, 7:30pm and 8pm) of a live Nativity Pageant with real animals, actors, beautiful music and sets and refreshments served in the church after each show. Admission and parking are free. Come out and see.

The second, that I know of, is taking place the following weekend December 18-19 at the United Church of Canada located on York Rd in York PE. They are having a drive through Bethlehem. They had it a couple of years ago and it was wonderful. You drive through the set up area and people dressed in costume come to the car to tell you the story of the wonderful night of Jesus' birth. I believe refreshments are going to be served there as well. I'll get back to you on the times tomorrow (update in this post) as I just saw their billboard as I went by the church today.

Do you know of any other concerts, play, presentations in your area that are free and speak to the meaning of Christmas? Please share them with us and I will post them on here.

What do you do for entertainment at this time of year? Share with us.

Enjoy your day!

A pioneer motto

This morning as I was sitting down darning my daughter's tights and mittens, the pioneer motto came to my mind. I love this saying and think it's great for us frugally minded group of people.

Fix it up, wear it out,

Make it do or do without.

I think too often we are a society of throw aways. Products don't last like they use to. My parents still have a glass tumbler that I used when I was a child. It is used all the time and doesn't even have a crack in it, yet the glasses that I just purchased in January are almost gone.

Isn't it ironic that as we go about trying to save the planet from global warming and talk of recycling and what not, that we have products that aren't built to be fixed up anymore? I have a wonderful hand mixer that my husband and I bought when we were married years and years ago. This summer the cord died on me and I must admit that I was rather distraught about it.

It just needed a new cord but not one shop in town would fix it. One guy even told me that it was to just be thrown out as that is how things are made. This was after it had worked for 13 years. I couldn't buy another one as the company stopped making them, I couldn't replace the part, and I was darned if I was going to to throw it out. I couldn't find another mixer out there that was the same quality.

Along comes my father-in-law and he was able to get the cord off and find someone to put cut it and put it back on. It cost NOTHING!

This Christmas, as we go to buy presents and whatnot, lets look around at what we can make, repurpose, or fix up. Let's be careful about what we buy that it will last and not be a throw away toy. Let's make it count.

Remember:

Fix it up, wear it out,

Make it do or do without.

Enjoy your day!

Christmas Decorating Frugally.

One of the readers left this wonderful quote by Catherine Pulisfier that stated, "Being frugal isn't about being cheap, it's about being economical and without waste." What a wonderful definition.

Since we are now in December, it's time to decorate. I know many people start before hand, but I always dread the decorating part. I love how it is afterwards; it's just the time consuming part. So this year, I am doing just a part at a time. Today I am putting up all of my nativity sets.

I love nativity sets and would love to have this beautiful one that I have seen down at the Vesey's store, I just can't justify $120 on it. Maybe when it gets marked down 75% off or something.

Anyway, enough ranting. How do you decorate frugally? I got to thinking about this as I put up one of my sets today. I happened to buy it after Christmas one year at Christmas Discounters. It ended up being marked down from $50 to $11 because there was a piece missing. I still haven't figured out which one, but all the key characters are there. Must have been an extra sheep or something.

That's the first way to think for decorating. Buy the decorations after the season for next year. You can find a tonne of deals out there then. Regular stores have big sales on at the beginning of the season and then again as it draws closer to the holiday.

Another way would be to go to the dollar stores, thrift stores and yard sales. But hey, that's my answer a lot of times isn't it? It's true though, you never know what you can find there to start you off with.

Then there are the homemade decorations. Our first Christmas together, my husband and I painted a bunch of ceramic ornaments that were 25 cents each. They and some wooden soldiers were the only thing on our tree that year.

There are a lot of patterns available online and classes at stores, churches, schools and what not to be able to teach you how to make certain ornaments. Most classes are free except for your supplies that you have to purchase. We try to do one Christmas ornament craft together each year. It's a nice tradition and fun to see how talents and tastes change over the years.

Another way is reusing ornaments for different purposes. You have several ball ornaments that don't have hooks anymore? Well, place them in a nice dish and you have a wonderful centrepiece. By grouping them, you change their purpose and you have a wonderful new display.

My grandmother once was going to throw out all of these wonderful decorations because of whatever reason. I rescued them. Which is another way of getting decorations, from those that are purging. With my grandmother's they were peeling and what not, so I cleaned off everything and then repainted them with some tole painting. I gave them to her for her present that year and she didn't even recognize them. Some of them now hang on my tree and I think of her every year when I hang them.

There are always the garlands or popcorn, cranberries, cinnamon sticks and painted pasta that can be done for wonderful decorations as well. Candles in glass jars from your applesauce, pasta sauce etc. All different sizes and in the middle of the table is beautiful.

Wrap up your pictures that are on your wall in Christmas paper as if they were gifts and rehang them to be presents on your wall, or do the doors to your rooms. Everyone loves a really big present! Hang old Christmas cards around or even frame some of them that have wonderful poems or pictures. You can also make these into lovely little gift boxes and stagger those for a centrepiece as well. You can also make Christmas Card trees out of them buy cutting them on an angle and stringing them together.

Old burnt out lightbulbs and can be repainted and used for crafts as well. I have made a reindeer and a penguin out of some of my old ones.

Instead of paying for your pine boughs at the store, go for a lovely walk in your local woods and gather some to bring home along with seasonal berries and pinecones and whatnot. Makes a nice entrance when they are placed in containers at your door. Put some lights in and you are all set.

Homemade potpourri brewing in a pot adds a wonderful scent throughout your home as well. There are many recipes online that you can get to make your own.

Garlands of paper snowflakes strung on ribbon or twine is a wonderful window display. Or it could go around your door frames. We always joked that it wouldn't snow and stay until the snowflakes were up and about and it didn't melt until they were put away.

There are many origami patterns out there besides cranes as well. Check them out and make ornaments out of origami.

One post stated about saving your bread tags throughout the year (if you buy bread) and then painting them green. They can then be used to hold your lights in place on your tree.

So these are just some ideas that I wanted to share with you on this rainy, so not December feeling, day. What frugal Christmas decorating do you do?

Enjoy your day!

Christmas Visiting and Neighbour treats

My apologies for my tardiness today. I was laying subfloor with my father in law in our home for most of the day. (Got a good deal after calling all five building supply stores around here) I also want to thank you all for the comments that you have been leaving here. It's wonderful advice that you all are sharing and I will start posting more about the comments in the next little bit. It's been crazy here.

Anyway, as I was working with my FIL today, I got to thinking deeply about our society and the condition of it today. I know this isn't the place to post all of the thoughts I had on this, maybe a future post on my personal blog, but I was thinking how people just don't talk to each other anymore. I mean in their neighbourhoods and all. Really, does anyone really visit anymore? That's an art all on it's own that is dying. I can remember as a child going to the neighbours, aunts and uncles, old family friends and some of my parents coworkers homes or whatever over the holidays. The song by Bing Crosby comes to mind of Christmas in Killarney.

There, after visiting for a little bit, the plate would arrive. You know the one. It has about a dozen different delectable sweets for you to choose from. Well, as I mentioned in an earlier post about cookie exchanges being a frugal and fun way to get the baking done, what about neighbour gifts? Do you give your neighbour a gift? Do you even know your neighbour?

If not, what a great time of the year to go and meet them! A simple gift to give for a neighbour, teacher, church member, piano teacher (or other activities) or a family member would be a tin of sweets. This is a very nice gift, frugal and thoughtful altogether!

Besides sweets, there are also homemade preserves; strawberry jam, salsa, jellies, peppers, etc,; a loaf of bread (preferably homemade ;)), a homemade ornament and there are thousands of other ideas. Just something simple to say you are thinking of them.

Enjoy your day!

Are there frugal ways to send your Christmas parcels?

This year as we drew names for Christmas, I lucked out getting the sibling furtherest away. I didn't want to just give a gift certificate because that's just not as fun to open on Christmas morning. So I asked them what I could get them. Boy did I get a list!

I bought several things on their wish list ON SALE, so I just justified the shipping costs. In fact, I looked at ordering their items online as that can often be cheaper for shipping, or even free from some places, but with my sales that I got it was still going to be cheaper for me to ship it.

As I called around (seriously do this, you will be surprised by the difference), I found the cheapest ended up being $23 for a 10 lb box and the most was going to be a whopping $68.57!!! There were a total of 5 businesses that would ship from where I live to where they live, that is a phenomenal difference in price. Especially considering they would all end up at the same place and in the same amount of time as I asked for the ground option. It was all going to take 5 business days to get to the destination as well.

It sure pays to call around.

So tell me, how do you get gifts for those that live far away?

Enjoy your day!

Christmas Frugal Giveaway AND a deal as well!

So this chick, Angela Biggley, has a wonderful prize for a give away here on Maritime Penny Pinchers. Check this pic out:

Wouldn't you want it? I know I do. I wonder if I can leave my own comment and try to win. It would make a wonderful present that you don't have to purchase for Christmas this year!

It's simple how to get it. All you have to do is leave a frugal tip comment here on my blog and you will be entered in the contest. Post about the giveaway and come back and leave another comment WITH the link to your post and you get a second entry, be a follower, or become one, and leave an entry stating you are a follower and you get another entry. Contest starts today and ends December 3rd, 2009.

PLUS being the nice woman she is, she is going to give a gift to each and every one of you that come down to the Farmer's Market at 100 Belvedere Ave in Charlottetown either tonight, from 4pm-8pm, or next Wednesday December 2nd from 4pm-8pm. IF you mention that you heard about her here on the Maritime Penny Pincher Blog, she will give you 10% off your items that you purchase at her A Quilt and a Cake stall. She's on the righthand side right when you walk in, but you have to mention the blog to get the deal. Check her out. LOTS of handmade stockings, aprons, quilts, cup cozies, and lots of baby items all for a really decent price. Plus it's homemade and local. Come visit Angela from A Quilt and a Cake at the Farmer's Market here in Charlottetown.