by BlondieWrites on December 16, 2009
Christmas parties are much less common than they once were. But it’s still great to be able to get together with our friends and family during the holidays. Why not throw a Christmas party of your own?
One reason that many people do not have Christmas parties is because of budget concerns. Throwing a party can be an expensive proposition. But it doesn’t necessarily have to be. If you follow these tips, you can have a splendid Christmas party without spending a fortune.
* Sending invitations to your guests can be surprisingly expensive. Store-bought invitations aren’t cheap, and you’ll also have to pay for postage. Keep your costs down by sending them by email or inviting guests by phone.
* Make it clear to guests if they are allowed to bring others to the party, and ask them to let you know how many people they will be bringing. It’s easier to plan for your party if you know how many people to expect.
* Forgo the catering and do the cooking yourself. It will take some work, but cooking everything at home is much less expensive than having someone else to make the food and bring it in. Have the family help to make it a little easier on yourself.
* Better yet, make it a potluck. If each guest brings a dish, there will be plenty to eat at very little expense to you. You could even have some guests bring drinks, plates, cups and plasticware if you like.
* Keep the decorations simple. Your Christmas tree could serve as the focal point. Use inexpensive tinsel or garland and Christmas lights around the house, and hang up a few sprigs of holly or mistletoe here and there. There’s no need to spend lots of money to make your home look festive.
* If there’s snow outside, put some in ice buckets and bring it in to chill drinks with. This adds a nice festive touch and saves you money because you won’t have to buy ice.
* To save money on entertainment, put a karaoke machine to use. If you don’t have one of your own, borrow or rent one. Make sure that get the singing on video if possible!
* Make handmade ornaments to give out as party favors. You can make them quickly and inexpensively out of plastic canvas and yarn in Christmas colors.
* If you want to make Christmas parties at your house a tradition, start planning for next year as soon as Christmas is over. You can get 50% or more off regular prices for decorations after the holiday.
Christmas parties are lots of fun, even if you don’t spend a lot of money on them. A frugal party is no less memorable than one where no expense was spared. So don’t wait for someone else to throw one. Take it upon yourself to organize the festivities!
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by BlondieWrites on December 16, 2009
The last thing any holiday cooks want to do is walk around the kitchen and find out that they are missing a vital item they need to finish a meal in fantastic fashion. Undoubtedly it has happened to you at least once. Be sure it doesn’t happen again with this pantry staple list for the holidays.
Each holiday, most of us prepare the same things. There are favorite family dishes that must be prepared or Aunt Minnie will have a fit. That goes for desserts as well. Since you know this in advance, let’s make sure that the kitchen cupboards are stocked with the items you use the most.
The pantry list includes items for the fridge, cupboard and the freezer. Let’s begin with the cupboard:
• Flour (all purpose, cake)
• Baking soda
• Dry yeast (for breads)
• Sugar (white, brown, confectioners’)
• Chocolate (bricks, squares, morsels, cocoa powder)
• Nuts (pecans, English walnuts, almonds)
• Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, pepper)
• Baking powder
• Honey, oil, vinegar
• Broth
• Dried fruits
• Vegetables (sweet potatoes, white potatoes, onions, garlic)
• Rice
• Dried pasta
This is just a short list. Depending on your tastes, you’ll add or detract from it depending on your tastes. Now we move on to the fridge. Some items just need to stay in there to stay fresh. To know your refrigerated pantry staples, think of things that you are always sending someone to the store for.
• Milk
• Butter (not margarine)
• Sour cream
• Eggs
• Lemon juice
• Half and half
This list is shorter because you use these items more when you cook and bake around the holidays than any other time. The broth from the other list will end up in the fridge after you open it.
Don’t forget the freezer. Most of the freezer staples come into play with baking but they can pertain to cooking the meal if you make fruit relishes, cranberry sauce from scratch and other condiment additions to your holiday table.
• Frozen fruit (berry mix, peaches)
• Frozen vegetables (to make up for any shortfall with fresh veggie side dishes)
• Fruit juices from concentrate
As you can see, there are a lot of staples that you’ll need when cooking and baking for the holidays. You don’t necessarily have to account for every family member who darkens your door. If your list includes at least these items you are well on your way to a well-stocked holiday pantry.
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by BlondieWrites on November 28, 2009
If you are like many other individuals, you enjoy Christmas. With Christmas comes gifts’, spending time with family, and Christmas decorations. While everyone loves to get Christmas gifts and spend time with their family, there are others who are most excited about decorating for Christmas. In a way, putting up Christmas decorations symbolizes the upcoming Christmas holiday. Perhaps, that is one of the reasons why decorating for Christmas is enjoyed by so many.
When it comes to decorating for Christmas, different individuals use different methods. Perhaps, the most popular method is buying Christmas decorations from the store and then hanging them or displaying them in the home. In addition to buying store bought decorations, there are other individuals who make their own Christmas decorations and then hang or display them. If you are preparing to decorate your home for Christmas, you may be wondering which decorating method you should use. Honestly, the decision is yours to make; however, you will find that each method has a number of advantages and disadvantages.
As previously mentioned, one of the most popular ways that most individuals choose to decorate their homes for Christmas is by purchasing store bought decorations. These store bought decorations can include items such as a Christmas tree, Christmas lights, Christmas tree ornaments, Christmas lawn decorations, and Christmas kitchenware. Perhaps, the wide variety of different decorations that can be purchased online or from a storefront retail location is the greatest benefit to buying your decorations. While it is possible to make your own Christmas lights or Christmas kitchenware, it is time consuming and you need to have special skills to do so.
In addition to the selection of Christmas decorations that you have to choose form, when buying store bought Christmas decorations, you will also find that buying pre-made Christmas decorations saves time. Shopping online is the best way to save time, when buying Christmas decorations, but you can also save time by buying your Christmas decorations from one of your local retail stores. As nice as it may be to make your own Christmas decorations, it is a time consuming task, especially if you have never made your own Christmas decorations before.
So far, it may seem as if you can benefit the most from buying store bought Christmas decorations, but it is important to note that you can also benefit from making your own decorations. Perhaps, the greatest advantage to making your own Christmas decorations is that you can make what you want. Since you know every inch of your home, you likely know what will look good in one area and what will look good in another. If you are looking for a particular Christmas decoration, such as a Christmas painting, and you are unable to find it, you may be able to make your own. While it will take some skill and time, it is almost always worth it to get exactly what you want.
Another advantage to making your own Christmas decorations is that, as previously mentioned, you can make whatever you want, however you want to. When most of us think of homemade Christmas decorations, we tend to think of decorations that were created from scratch. The reality is that you can make your own decorations with existing Christmas decorations or traditional craft items, if you want to. For instance, you can easily make your own Christmas table centerpiece by using a glass bowl or large candleholder, artificial flowers, sand, or even Christmas lights. Despite the fact that you did not make each piece of the decoration yourself, you altered it enough whereas it can be considered a homemade Christmas decoration.
The overall goal of decorating for Christmas is to bring the Christmas spirit into your home. In all reality, that is the most important thing. It really shouldn’t matter whether you choose to make your own Christmas decorations or buy them; the same goal will be accomplished.
Popularity: 2% [?]
by BlondieWrites on November 28, 2009
Are you planning on decorating your home for Christmas this year? If so, have you completed the first step? When it comes to decorating for Christmas, the first step is getting the decorations. Unfortunately, in today’s world, many families are finding it difficult to afford “extras,” including Christmas decorations. However, there is good news. If you are on a budget, there are still a number of different ways that you can get your home decorated for Christmas. You can do so with low-cost Christmas decorations.
When it comes to low-cost Christmas decorations, it is important to remember that different people associate low-cost with different things. Just because you think a particular Christmas decoration is low-cost doesn’t necessarily mean that someone else will. For some individuals, a low-cost Christmas decoration is an item that only costs one dollar, for others it is five, and for others it can be fifty dollars. That is why it is important, when looking for low-cost Christmas decorations, that you keep this in mind. However, no matter what your view of low-cost is, there are still a number of different ways that you can go about decorating for Christmas.
Perhaps, the easiest way to save money while decorating for Christmas is to not buy any Christmas decorations. If you decorated your home for Christmas last year or in recent years, did you save your old Christmas decorations? If you did save your old Christmas decorations, you may want to think about using them again this year. Although it may be nice to have brand new Christmas decorations, they are not required. Not only can you save money by using your old Christmas decorations, but you might not have to spend any extra money at all!
In addition to using your own used Christmas decorations, you may want to think about using other people’s old Christmas decorations. During the summer and sometimes during the early fall, you may be able find local yard sales. Yard sales are a great place to get used Christmas decorations for an affordable price. If you are unable to find a yard sale, you can also purchase used Christmas decorations online. You can easily find a collection of used and sometimes even deeply discounted new Christmas decorations by doing your shopping on an online auction website.
Although you can save a fairly large amount of money by buying used Christmas decorations, as previously mentioned, there is a good chance that you want new ones. If this is the case, you still have a number of different options. You should check your local dollar stores, discount stores, and even department stores. Many of these stores, around Christmastime, have a large selection of Christmas decorations, at an affordable price. If you are looking to save the most money, it may be a good idea to visit your local dollar stores. Some dollar stores sell really nice Christmas decorations for a dollar and sometimes even less.
It might even be possible for you to make your own Christmas decorations, with items that you already have inside your house. In fact, this is how you can turn your old Christmas decorations into new ones. Simply by altering your existing decorations in one way or another, for instance by adding a bow, you could make your old Christmas decorations like new. You can also take a simple candleholder and turn it into a Christmas candleholder with a little bit of creativity. The same can be said for a number of other items that you likely already have inside your home. This is another way that you could avoid spending any money on Christmas decorations.
As you can easily see, there are a number of different ways that you can go about finding or making your own low-cost Christmas directions. Although you may be worried about the quality of those decorations, you shouldn’t be. Most times, it isn’t necessarily about the Christmas decorations themselves, but they way that they are presented or arranged.
Popularity: 2% [?]
by BlondieWrites on November 28, 2009
Making your own Christmas crafts doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Frugal Christmas crafts not only save you money but are fun to make.
Christmas ornaments made from ordinary pipe cleaners and inexpensive acrylic beads are very pretty and easy to make. They look quite impressive yet are easy enough for small children to make. This is one frugal Christmas craft idea to use again and again. Older people and kids will enjoy making this frugal Christmas craft, too, which can be varied to make a number of different sparkling ornaments for your Christmas tree.
To make the bead and pipe cleaner ornaments, you need common pipe cleaners in desired colors and acrylic beads. Two types of beads are particularly effective when strung on pipe cleaners. One type are called sunburst beads, but are also known as paddlewheel beads, snowflake beads, or starburst beads. These beads have six faceted paddles spaced equally around a center that contains the hole for stringing. When several of these sunburst beads are strung consecutively, they fit against each other in an interlocking pattern.
The other type of bead that is also effective for this frugal Christmas craft is called the tri bead or propeller bead. It has three rounded bumps arranged around the stringing hole. Like the sunburst beads, the tri beads interlock when strung consecutively. For the most sparkly and attractive Christmas ornaments, get tri beads and/or sunburst beads in translucent colors of red, green, and clear. The tri beads can also be found in metallic gold and silver which can be used in this Christmas craft as well.
Pipe cleaners can be found in silver and gold tinsel as well as chenille of all colors. For frugal Christmas crafts, the best colors to use are the metallics and Christmas colors. The beads cover the pipe cleaners, but the ends will need to be twisted together and made into hangers, so they show.
Anyone, even small children, can string these beads on pipe cleaners. Bend up the end of the pipe cleaner so the beads don’t fall off. The pipe cleaner works like a needle, making a needle unnecessary. For best results, show the children how to alternate colors when stringing, or start a pattern of three colors. When the beads are strung on the pipe cleaners, they can be bent into different Christmas shapes. For instance, string red and clear beads alternately, then bend down one end of the pipe cleaner for a candy cane shape. Or alternate red and green beads and form a circle for a wreath. Use red pipe cleaner to form a small bow to decorate the wreath. Form a hanger for these Christmas crafts or simply slip the circle over a branch of the tree.
If you experiment with clear beads and silver pipe cleaners, you can make some beautiful snowflake or star ornaments. Snowflake designs can be twisted of silver pipe cleaner only, without the beads for a simple but pretty decoration.
Bead and pipe cleaner ornaments are a nice frugal Christmas craft you will find yourself using every year. Children and their parents will both appreciate this simple yet pretty frugal Christmas crafts.
Popularity: 4% [?]
by BlondieWrites on November 19, 2009
by BlondieWrites on November 16, 2009
These are from a brand new design I just created, made especially for Christmas.
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by BlondieWrites on October 21, 2009
Rush Card Just in Time for Christmas.
Get a BabyPhat or Russell Simmons Prepaid Visa Rushcard today! 100% GUARANTEED APPROVAL! With no credit or ChexSystems checks. Get a Prepaid Visa RushCard - No credit check. Instant approval. Shop online, pay bills, use ATMs.
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by BlondieWrites on September 20, 2009
Beginning to save for the winter holidays early is realistic and sensible. Maybe you don’t want to think about all the holiday hassle too far ahead, but the holidays will be a lot less of a hassle if you start saving for them now.
Expenses abound from Thanksgiving to New Year’s, and being prepared will help you relax and enjoy the friends, food, and family that accompany the holiday season. Beginning to save now gives you five months to accumulate sufficient funds to cover anticipated and unexpected expenses. Think of it this way: it’s better to spend five months saving than five months paying off credit card bills with high interest rates.
What, exactly, is so expensive about the holidays? Why does it take five months to save up for them? Here are some potential expenses associated with the holiday season you may not have considered.
Travel
With gasoline prices ever-changing, it’s good to prepare for the most expensive scenario and save accordingly. Your car may need repairs, too, and if you get those taken care of in the slower summer months it will be one less expense to deal with during the busy holiday season. If you’re traveling by air, saving money for air fare and booking flights well ahead gives you time to look for good deals. The same is true for hotel reservations.
Hosting
It’s easy to underestimate the cost of hosting a holiday party, or having overnight guests. Food, party decorations, favors, etc. all need to be considered. Also, your house guests will use more utilities such as electricity and water. And let’s not forget the cost of that attractive party outfit you’ll be wearing!
Food
The holidays are a time when special food is served, from elegant chocolates to shrimp cocktail to turkey. These are all expensive items that tend to increase in price around the holidays. Saving in the summer, when food costs tend to be lower, will pay off when the holidays roll around.
Gifts
You’ve probably thought of gifts already, but do you have a specific amount in mind that you can spend? Have you considered actually buying Christmas gifts in the summer? Determine your gift budget and start saving, and once you have made your gift list (and checked it twice), you can keep an eye out for summer sales and the “perfect” gift. If you wait until the holiday season is underway before buying, there’s always the risk that the gift you want will be out of stock, and the crowds of holiday shoppers can be daunting. Starting early also helps you avoid the last-minute panic that may cause you to buy a less-than-ideal gift that costs more than you can afford.
Accessories
The little things can really add up – cards, postage stamps, batteries, wrapping paper, decorations, etc. Remember how much last year’s Christmas tree cost? It will probably be just as much if not more this year!
The holiday season is a wonderful time of sharing good food, traditions, and building new memories. Begin your holiday saving now and when it comes time to get into your new outfit, prepare a turkey dinner, or give your friends meaningful gifts, you will be able to enjoy the festivities without the stress of figuring out how to pay for it all.
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by BlondieWrites on September 17, 2009
Everyone knows that the Christmas season is all about giving and that no one should be concerned about how much a particular gift costs but most of us also have to worry about our budgets while we are doing our Christmas shopping. While there are truly some people to which money is no object the reality is that most of us simply cannot afford to purchase everything we want during the Christmas season. We all have to make some concessions while we do our Christmas shopping and keep our eyes open for great deals. Fortunately there is a great deal of bargains to be found during the Christmas season.
Finding bargains while Christmas shopping is actually quite easy. In fact it is so easy that finding items which are not a bargain is considered more of a challenge. Although most stores hold sales throughout the year, just about every retailer offers significant bargains in the weeks just before Christmas. These retailers know shoppers will be out in full force during this time and they offer their best deals hoping to attract a great share of the shoppers. The best way to ensure you are receiving the best possible deals while you are Christmas shopping is to spend some time window shopping before the Christmas season. This will give you a good idea of what types of items are currently being sold and will also give you a good indication of the prices of these items. This information can be used when Christmas shopping to determine just how much you are saving by purchasing sale items just before Christmas.
When shopping for bargain items at Christmas it is very important to be aware of the return policy on the item. While you might think the gift is a great idea at the time, you may realize it is not such a good idea later or you may find a defect in the product and want to return it. However, if there was a no return policy on the product you will not be able to get your money back for the item. Even if you decide to keep the item, the recipient of the gift may not like the item and may wish to return it. However, if you bought it in a sale where no returns were allowed, she may not be able to return the gift.
There is, however, one aspect to shopping for Christmas bargains which all shoppers should understand. It is the simple concept that just because an item is on sale does not mean you should purchase the item. Some Christmas shoppers get caught up in the idea of purchasing a bargain item which has been greatly reduced in price but it may be an item they do not really need. When this is the case it is a better idea to not purchase the item. You will be saving money by doing this. Think of it this way, you may find a warm wool coat which is reduced in price by 75%. This may seem like a bargain that is too good to pass up but if you live in a warm climate and will never wear the coat it is actually a waste of money. You may be only paying 25% of the original price but if you do not buy the coat at all you will not be paying anything.
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