Do you do anything for Mardi Gras? We sometimes get a King cake just for fun and get the kids a few beads, but otherwise, nope. My ex-husband is from Louisiana so I know he celebrates, but I’m not sure how.

So if you do celebrate, what do you do?

Popularity: 7% [?]

Tweet This Post

I’d like to wish my bloggy friends and faithful readers a very Happy Valentine’s Day. Don’t forget that Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love, and can fit into any relationship (Mother/Child, Best Friends, etc.)

Check out my blog for fun ideas to celebrate the day and things you can do together as a family. Enjoy!

Popularity: 5% [?]

Tweet This Post

Last year on my other blog, I ran a poll asking everyone to vote for their top 5 favorite handmade or frugal gifts that they would like to receive. Here is a compilation of the top 10 most chosen answers, and I have to admit, I totally agree.

1. Framed Photograph
2. A scented candle
3. Plate of homemade cookies (brownies, breads, candies and cakes all made the top 20 too.)
4. A CD or USB keychain full of music. (go to wal-mart – they are around $10 for the keychain).
5. Fun coffee mug and a small bag of gourmet coffee or teacup and box of tea.
6. A small houseplant – you can even paint a terra cotta pot to give with it.
7. Journal and pen set.
8. Pretty glass vase, bowl, dish, etc. filled with candies, marbles, stones, etc.
9. Body wash, soaps, lotions, oils, etc. You can get them at discount chains. Find a nice scent, and buy the lotion and body wash and there you go. (Better yet, make your own!)
10. Hand painted, decoupaged, decorated ‘anything’. (In the top 20 the following items were listed – wine or drink glasses, candle holders, shot glass, picture frame, vases, plates or platters, mugs and containers (boxes, baskets, etc.). Go to the dollar store and look around for anything you can paint or alter in some way. Great gift ideas, because you can make something really nice!

Gifts in a jar was the 11th most popular vote. Those are super easy and a really nice gift idea, so consider that too. I love frugality and I love the idea of giving a great gift, for little money. See, Christmas doesn’t have to break the bank.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Tweet This Post

There’s nothing better than getting a good deal while still getting a nice gift for someone, and feeling happy when its well received. With Christmas quickly  approaching, I thought I would share a nice list of cheap/frugal gift ideas that I posted on my other frugal blog once upon a time. This list isn’t just for Christmas though. It would be good for any holiday or birthday or just as a “because”. If you have any great frugal gift ideas that I haven’t shared on this list, please feel free to leave a comment down below with your idea. At this time of year especially I can use as many cheap gift ideas as I can get or ways to save money and I am quite certain you can too. Wouldn’t it be great to have a $10 Christmas?

You can! Just check out this list or let it get your own creative thinking juices flowing!

1. Journal
2. Book (check out Walmart or Target)
3. Picture frames. Throw in a  picture too.
4. Personally Painted Picture. You don’t have to be an artist.
5. Gourmet Coffee
6. Ornament
7. CD
8. $10 itunes gift card
9. Wall Calendar
10. Gift in a Jar: cookies, brownies, cocoa mix, etc.
11. Greeting Card Set – Make them yourself and its even less.
12. Seed Packets with gardening gloves in a basket.
13. Kitchen Timer
14. Small alarm clock
15. flashlight set
16. magnets
17. a game
18. Puzzle
19. deck of cards
20. movie night basket – coupon for free rental, couple of cans of soda, bag of popcorn and box of candy (you can also get DVD’s for as low as $4 or $5 at Wal-mart.
21. Coffee Mug
22. Package of socks
23. Gloves
24. Scarf
25. Belt
26. Craft Supplies for a craft they enjoy
27. Address Book
28. Bath Poof and Soaps or Shower Gel
29. Body Spray
30. Lip gloss/lipstick in a make-up pouch
31. Bath Salts
32. Candles
33. Christmas Decorations
34. DVD or Video
35. Wallet
36. Crazy Socks
37. Slippers
38. Slipper Socks
39. Sunglasses
40. Notebooks and Pen Set
41. Tea Cup with Box of Tea
42. Mug and Packets of Hot Chocolate
43. Brush/Comb Set
44. Earrings
45. Necklace (check out Rue 21 – COOL STUFF there!)
46. Child’s artwork framed.
47. Post Its and Paper Clips (office supplies)
48. Stationary and Pens
49. Nail Polish, Manicure Set
50. Handmade Recipe Cookbook
51. Hand Towels or Dish Towels
52. Kitchen gadgets
53. Photo Album
54. Potpourri or other nice smelling stuff.
55. Pet toys for the pet owner
56. Travel coffee mug for the commuter.
57. Mouse pad
58. Ear Buds or Head Phones
59. Mixing Bowls
60. Platters or Trays for serving
61. Candy Dish with some candy
62. Hand held mirror, you can find small vanity mirrors for cheap too.
63. Stamps and Greeting Cards
64. Coupon Organizer
65. Homemade breads, muffins, cookies or cakes.
66. Bottle of wine. Some cheap wine tastes great!
67. Set of wine glasses or drinking glasses
68. salt and pepper shakers
69. organizing item (look through an organizing section – there are plenty of things under $10)
70. Can of tennis balls, golf balls, golf tees, etc. Look in the sports aisle for things under $10 for the sports nut.
71. Keychain
72. Markers/colored pencils/crayons and drawing pad/coloring book/tracing paper (depending on age and recipient)
73. Chocolate. No really, chocolate. Have you  no clue what the perfect gift is?
74. Perfume or Cologne
75. Make a whole meal and take it to them.

I had a second list at one point that was called 75 MORE Gift Ideas for $10.00 or less, but I cannot find it at all. So while I’m looking for that, feel free to share any ideas you have that are $10 or less.

Reader suggestions:

• coasters
• 6-pack of craft beer
• a plain shot glass painted by you.
• personalized item from a gift shop.

Popularity: 25% [?]

Tweet This Post

Handmade Recipe Cookbook

Holy cow I cannot believe that Christmas is just over a month away! I feel like just yesterday we were swimming and running through the sprinklers – how did Christmas get here so fast!?!?!

Want a great frugal Christmas Gift Idea? Try one of these!

Personalized Cookbook

You’ll need:

• A large, white, 3-ring binder with a clear front covering (one in which you can slip a cover in)

• A package of white printer paper

• Clear sleeves you can put in the binder

• Markers, scissors, glitter, glue, and any other craft items along that line

• Your Chef’s favorite recipes! (or just some family favorites)

All you have to do is write down, or type, the gift-receiver’s favorite recipes on the printer paper. Then you can decorate the paper by hand or print some images and paste them onto the paper, and slip the paper into the clear sleeves when it’s all dry.

This is a great gift because not only is it completely personalized and it protects the recipes from damage while in use, but you can keep adding to it and it keeps all the recipes together- you don’t have to go to a bunch of different cookbooks for one meal!

It’s also a good idea to add dividers and mark them ‘Poultry’, ‘Desserts’, ‘Salads’, etc.

Happy gift-giving!

Popularity: 22% [?]

Tweet This Post

Thinking about creating some gift baskets for gift giving this year? Here are a few ideas to get you thinking.

First, I always tell people who are interested in giving gift baskets as gifts to check out the dollar store. No, don’t fill it up with “junk” but they sell popcorn packets and you could add 1 or 2 to several gift baskets, candy, snacks too. I always recommend trying there first. You’d be surprised at what you can find when paired with other items, makes the perfect gift.

Second – be creative with “packaging”. Don’t just choose a basket. Decorate it and make it special. Weave ribbon through it, or attach a bow, or embellish in another way. Another idea, is to use an “odd object” that might not otherwise “house such items” – a Boot, a bucket, a paint can, a tote bag, purse, mug, stocking, Rubber maid tote or bin, watering can, coffee can, a hat box, canister, sleigh, a desk caddy or whatever other idea you can think of.

Third – I tried to include something for “everyone”. I really hope it helps or at least gets you thinking. Hope that helps

• Popcorn Basket – For the person who loves popcorn – fill with gourmet popcorn, popcorn seasonings and popping cobs, snacks and some drinks.
• Couch Potato Basket – Snacks, TV guide, TV magazine (E! Entertainment or something along those lines).
• BBQ Lovers – Fill with iced tea, salsa and brushetta seasoning, BBQ seasoning package, coffee, iced cappuccino, and more. Perfect for summer entertaining.
• Sweetheart Basket – For the one you love or the person who loves hearts – fill with hearts – candles, soaps, painted wood, and more. May be packed in a heart votive candle box.
• Soap Basket – fill with a variety of our wonderful handmade soaps and fizzing bath rocks.
• Candle Basket – For the candle lover – fill with a variety of candles and candle holders.
• Teddy Bear Basket – Do you know someone who loves/collects teddy bears? – fill with a variety of products including items with teddy bears, chocolate, and a stuffed bear friend or gift certificate to make their own bear.
• Angel Basket – Do you know someone who loves angels? – fill with a variety of ‘angel’ items; could include candles, sachets, wooden, or wire items.
• Gourmet Drink Basket – Filled with a selection of our gourmet coffee, tea, hot chocolate and iced tea.
• Gourmet Treat Basket – Filled with a selection of our gourmet food items. Will include a variety of drinks, soup, seasonings, or popcorn.
• Debbie Mumm Basket – Filled with a variety of Debbie Mumm products; could include candles, address books, pocket mirrors, scented sachets, notepads, or notecards.
• Mary Engelbreit Basket -
• Primitive Basket – For people who love primitive folkart – filled with painted wood items, wire items, and grubby candles.
• Vanilla, Apple, or Berry Scent Basket – filled with items in your chosen scent – potpourri, candles, aromatic crystals, fizzing bath rocks, soaps, and more.
• Kitchen/Baking Basket – Filled with ‘kitchen’ items like hotpads and baking scents such as gingerbread, apple pie, or cinnamon. May include a recipe book.
• Apple Basket – For the apple lover – painted wood apples, apple scented items, and wire apples.
• Christmas – Filled with christmas decorations and scents.
• Rubber Stamping – Stamps, things to stamp on, ink pads – pick a theme or send a variety.
• Scrapbooking – stickers, die cuts, papers, albums, how-to’s – pick a theme or send a variety (not packed in a basket so items don’t get damaged!).
• Needlepoint -
• Crochet -
  Variety – Filled with a mix of items.

Obviously there are a lot more ideas floating around. If you have one, feel free to share in the comment field! Thanks!

Popularity: 13% [?]

Tweet This Post

I absolutely love making these little wonders, and they are perfect for stirring coffee, hot chocolate or even steamed milk.

They are super simple to make, and are the perfect gift for that coffee drinker in your life.

What you need:

• Plastic Spoons (if you are trying to “go green” then purchase inexpensive silverware (try Deals, garage sales or Walmart) and do it that way.

• A bag of milk chocolate chips (or white chocolate chips, butterscotch, peanut butter, dark chocolate, whatever)

• Variety of toppings – peppermints, vanilla candies, powdered cinnamon or crushed cinnamon candies, decorators sugar or coarse sugar, mini marshmallows, nuts, powdered sugar, anything you can think of.

Melt the chocolate on the stove top stirring constantly. Watch carefully so that the chocolate doesn’t begin to burn. As soon as its soft enough, dip the spoons into the chocolate and then place them on wax paper.
Immediately sprinkle them with your various toppings. Do one with crushed peppermint candy, crushed almonds or another nut, sprinkle cinnamon or find different flavors of hard candy – I found vanilla and raspberry last year and they were AWESOME on the spoons.

After they air dry (I recommend letting them sit for at least 12 hours at room temp), wrap them in cellophane and tie with a festive ribbon.

Put a few spoons in a coffee mug along with some individual hot cocoa or coffee packets and you have a great gift for those chilly nights!

Cheap, easy and thoughtful for anyone who loves coffee or loves a hot cocoa! Pair with a book, or movie for a nice night in.

Popularity: 19% [?]

Tweet This Post

Thought I would get started posting my Christmas articles. Many of these were posted on my old blogs in the past, but have been updated and revamped to be current. Never before posted here, I hope you find some helpful hints for Christmas this year. Ours is going to be almost all handmade gifts and we are being very frugal. I would imagine if you are here, you probably are too. Here are 10 simple ideas for saving some money this Christmas.

1. Ornaments – Take some of your old glass ball ornaments (you know, the ones that look so drab compared to your other tree decorations!) and arrange them in a bowl. Clear glass bowls are especially striking, as the ornaments show through. If you don’t have an appropriate bowl, use a basket. I also used some old “glass” ornaments that were not balls, but actual ornaments that were sants, and elves, etc. It looked great and very festive. You can do this same thing if you purchase the cheap glass balls at Wal-mart and a clear glass bowl. I priced them and your total for 2-3 bowls would be WELL under $10 (be sure to check the dollar store too!) I’ve also used small crystal candy dishes to display the small ornaments that were passed down to me by my grandmother- mostly tiny orbs that had broken at the top and had lost their hooks, but still had beautiful pearly finishes.

2. Ribbon – I am a ribbon collector – I scrapbook and I use them for EVERYTHING. So go ahead – use your ribbon. (you know what I’m talking about – that stash you save every holiday because you’re GOING to use it) Wrap the ribbon around different objects in your home – door knobs, end table legs, vases, collectibles – use your imagination and get creative. While you’ve got the ribbon out, grab your curling ribbon and make some curly “pom-poms”. (Simply cut several lengths of curling ribbon, curl them by sliding the lengths against a scissor blade, and tie them together at the center.) Keep in mind that the curling ribbon will be much shorter after curling- figure on about half its original length. Tape or tie the “pom-poms” wherever you have a dull spot- they can be tied to the end of your banister (inside or out), hung on doorknobs, or even attached to the tops of your dining chairs.

3. Christmas Cards – We all have years worth of Christmas cards, and do you have extra’s from last year’s card mailing? I do, but I intend to use them again this year to people who I’ve met this year. However, if you do have extra cards, etc. Cut them up – cut the cover’s off and make postcards or purchase cheap frames from the $$ store and frame them. Let your children cut them out. Cut Santa out of a card, punch a hole at the top, tie some ribbon and voila – an ornament. Use them to make place cards, decoupage, place them under a piece of glass on a table to decorate.

4. Candles – Make a holiday candle garden. Use a Christmas-themed plate or tray, or even a plain metal one and arrange 3 or 5 candles of varying heights (odd numbers look best). Tuck some greenery (artificial or real) in between the candles to give your candle garden an extra festive touch. This is also a great way to accent a special candle with a holiday theme- surround it with plain pillar candles in a complementary color.

5. Tinsel – I have tons of this – hand me downs from all over, plus you know, at the very beginning I actually USED it. LOL Recycle old tinsel garland by cutting shorter lengths of it and using it to accent your current décor. You can cut out any matted or thin sections, using the “still-good” pieces as filler in your wreath, candle accents (I do this), or as a basket handle accent (wrap around the basket handle in a spiral pattern, leaving some of the original handle showing.) Re-frame a mirror with gold, red or green garland. Tie a bow and attach it to the top of a present or homemade “goodie” tray.

6. Pine Cones – I have a HUGE collection of pine cones that over the years I’ve bought, found or my kids have collected. We often use them as great frugal fire starters, however you can use them to decorate for Christmas too. Gather some up and display them in a basket. I have a basket in the shape of a red sleigh, and I put them in there. You can spray potpourri oil on them (cinnamon is traditional, but vanilla, apple, or gingerbread would be very festive also) or spray them with silver or gold paint. Another great idea is to dab a bit of glue on each “point” of the cone and then sprinkle with glitter. If you don’t have any pine cones in your area, you can usually find them (most likely pre-scented) at your local craft store.

7. Wrapping Paper – Use it to wrap boxes of various shapes, wrap a mirror in your home, frames, etc. Use wrapping paper as a “table cover” on the coffee table or end table. Another idea (that I’m not sure I’m crazy about) is to cut out the patterns- Santa, snowmen, penguins, etc.- on your leftover wrapping paper and use them to decorate. Spray adhesive (found at your local craft store) will enable the cutouts to stick to your walls, wooden boxes, bottles…pretty much anything you can find! And the best part- it’s not permanent! (Check the adhesive instructions.)

8. Holiday Socks – Have any uncomfortable or worn-out Christmas socks? Stuff them with a bit of batting, sew the tops closed (insert a little ribbon loop in the corner first), and “string” them on yarn or thin ribbon. Hang on the wall or mantel, or even the tree! You can also cut them apart and into shapes and do the same thing.

9. Paper - The simplest, yet most beautiful holiday decoration? Paper snowflakes! Relive your childhood and create a few. Or a whole blizzard. If you’re feeling generous, you can ask your kids to help. When you’re done, tape them on your windows- whenever you look out, you’ll see a white Christmas (even if you live in the tropics!)

10. Old Holiday Decorations – We all have them. Well, at least I do. You know, the kind that remain stored with all the Christmas decorations but each year, after you decorate you wind up putting the box back downstairs with items still inside. Take those items out, and tear ‘em up – cut ‘em up – clean ‘em up and redecorate. Use them to make ornaments (hot glue a piece of ribbon to the backside of something), use them as centerpieces, an old garland can be cut apart to be “greenery” for a candle centerpiece. Broken glass ornaments of any kind can be further smashed up and used to glue on boxes, baskets, bowls, plates, etc, for a decorative look. Old Christmas clothes can be cut apart to be made into various items, etc.

Popularity: 18% [?]

Tweet This Post

I found this adorable craft online several years ago.

Candy Corn Freshner Craft Centerpiece and Gift Idea (copyright© Liss Burnell 2004)

• 2 cups water,divided

• Essential oil/fragrance of your choice. (Vanilla & Cinnamon Work Well Together)

• 4 envelopes Knox gelatin

• Food coloring (orange, yellow)

To get started, bring 1 c. of water almost to boil. Add the gelatin and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat and add 1 cup of water.

Divide evenly into 3 separate containers and add coloring to desired shade to make candy corn. Add your essential oil fragrance at this time.
Place the containers in the fridge to gel. Once gelled, use a spoon or wooden stick to gently stir up and layer in your pretty jar or Glass.

Add a bow and place on Dining room table. Place a thin candle down through the center for added beauty.

We are making these this year! They are just too cute not too!!

Popularity: 13% [?]

Tweet This Post

Front of Handmade Purse

I just love the holidays, but boy I’ll tell you – all that gift buying wears you out and drains your accounts! I’m all about making things myself, and giving gifts from the heart.

I made this super cute purse for my daughter when she was much younger. I believe when she was about six or seven. She used it for a couple of years and loved it. These photos were taken before we added some ribbon embellishments and a little “bling” gems. However, it gives you a good idea of how easy it is.

I purchased the little denim purse at Michael’s for around $5 and then just decorated it to match her personality. Obviously you could change it to fit your little girl.

Back of Handmade Purse

After a neighbor saw it, I wound up making one for her daughter too. They are super easy to make, and are a great gift idea. And besides, what little girl doesn’t love carrying a purse around?

Popularity: 12% [?]

Tweet This Post