Sixth Day of Christmas
Don't we all want to save a little money at Christmas? Katherine E. Tapley-Milton is serving up some frugal tips for your holidays that old Ebeneezer Scrooge would approve. Katherine lives in Sackville, NB, and has been previously published in the Bread 'n Molasses print edition.
A Scrooge Approved Christmas
By Katherine E. Tapley-Milton
As I write this article I'm thinking of Christmas festivities and it's only August and the day is hot and humid. Actually, all summer long I search the yard sales and Thrift store and gradually set aside gifts for the big day on December 25th. That way I don't have to endure line-ups and blowing my budget at Christmas. Celebrating the Yuletide season on a very limited income takes planning ahead.
When it comes to tree decorations, they need not be expensive. One old standby is stringing popcorn, but the Christmas I tried it I was extremely frustrated because it kept splitting on me. However, I just read a tip on the Internet that suggests leaving the popcorn a couple of days so it gets mushier prevents the problem. This year is my first year in an apartment and I don't have any tree decorations, but having an "ornament party" where each guest brings a tree decoration might be the answer. Also, I have lots of pinecones so I could easily put glitter on them and hang them up with a ribbon. My sister-in-law was lucky enough to find hundreds of sand dollars on a beach, so she took them home and soaked them in Clorox bleach and then let them dry out for a couple of months. Last year she did the entire Christmas tree with them hanging on it.
When it comes to gift giving, try to be as creative as possible. For the person who has everything I always find that a hand towel with a crocheted top always seems to please. I get a hand towel that is marked down (but not too thin) and cut it in two pieces. Next I sew the ragged edges down with a special machine stitch and then crochet the top. When choosing a gift think of the person's special interests. I have been known to take a book out of my library or a piece of clothing out of my closet and wrap them up as gifts. You don't want something ratty, so pick things that are in excellent condition. Who really knows where the item came from? If it's appropriate the receiver will be pleased and it's good for your soul.
Last year I had fun with a branch of pine that got broken off my friend’s tree. I made numerous table arrangements with the pine, cones, and fake poinsettias and gave them as gifts. A friend grows a whole lot of zucchinis in her garden in the summer and freezes them shredded up. For Christmas she makes zucchini breads and gives them as gifts. According to her they are very well received. I usually make a big roaster pan full of Nuts and Bolts and have about 20 bottles of it to give as Christmas presents. Our family likes it a lot.
Wrapping gifts need not blow the budget. The most obvious tip is to save wrapping paper from last year. However, failing that, one can use posters, wallpaper, maps, comics, paper from flower bouquets, or potted plants, etc. Reusable gift containers can be things like scarves, tea towels, cloth napkins, mugs, baskets, decorated tins, and home sewn gift bags. Fill appropriate containers with nuts, chocolate, or tea. A gift bag can even be made out of your worn out jeans. Just cut off a leg and sew the button shut. An old doily that is still in good shape can be used as gift wrap if you run a ribbon through the hole in the edge. Plain boxes can be decorated with rubber stamps, sponge, or potato painting.
When entertaining at Christmas it's important not to put yourself in the hole financially. At parties serve finger sandwiches, chips, or cut up vegetables and make your own dip at home out of yogurt or sour cream. Store brand chips are usually cheaper than the brand name. A big supply of popcorn is a thrifty way of munching out. For dinner choose a chicken or pasta dish instead of beef or seafood and make a mega salad. Remember that garnishes often make food look more expensive than it really is. If you're extremely restricted financially and stressed make the big Christmas dinner a potluck affair. Family members can bring a favourite dish and those who do not wish to cook can bring the cranberry, some pickles, or some punch. When buying the Christmas turkey get a utility one with a wing missing and not a leg.
Merry Christmas and may you have the bank account of Scrooge and the heart of Saint Nicholas!
Tomorrow we hear from Newfoundland's Bonnie Jarvis-Lowe.
A Scrooge Approved Christmas
By Katherine E. Tapley-Milton
As I write this article I'm thinking of Christmas festivities and it's only August and the day is hot and humid. Actually, all summer long I search the yard sales and Thrift store and gradually set aside gifts for the big day on December 25th. That way I don't have to endure line-ups and blowing my budget at Christmas. Celebrating the Yuletide season on a very limited income takes planning ahead.
When it comes to tree decorations, they need not be expensive. One old standby is stringing popcorn, but the Christmas I tried it I was extremely frustrated because it kept splitting on me. However, I just read a tip on the Internet that suggests leaving the popcorn a couple of days so it gets mushier prevents the problem. This year is my first year in an apartment and I don't have any tree decorations, but having an "ornament party" where each guest brings a tree decoration might be the answer. Also, I have lots of pinecones so I could easily put glitter on them and hang them up with a ribbon. My sister-in-law was lucky enough to find hundreds of sand dollars on a beach, so she took them home and soaked them in Clorox bleach and then let them dry out for a couple of months. Last year she did the entire Christmas tree with them hanging on it.
When it comes to gift giving, try to be as creative as possible. For the person who has everything I always find that a hand towel with a crocheted top always seems to please. I get a hand towel that is marked down (but not too thin) and cut it in two pieces. Next I sew the ragged edges down with a special machine stitch and then crochet the top. When choosing a gift think of the person's special interests. I have been known to take a book out of my library or a piece of clothing out of my closet and wrap them up as gifts. You don't want something ratty, so pick things that are in excellent condition. Who really knows where the item came from? If it's appropriate the receiver will be pleased and it's good for your soul.
Last year I had fun with a branch of pine that got broken off my friend’s tree. I made numerous table arrangements with the pine, cones, and fake poinsettias and gave them as gifts. A friend grows a whole lot of zucchinis in her garden in the summer and freezes them shredded up. For Christmas she makes zucchini breads and gives them as gifts. According to her they are very well received. I usually make a big roaster pan full of Nuts and Bolts and have about 20 bottles of it to give as Christmas presents. Our family likes it a lot.
Wrapping gifts need not blow the budget. The most obvious tip is to save wrapping paper from last year. However, failing that, one can use posters, wallpaper, maps, comics, paper from flower bouquets, or potted plants, etc. Reusable gift containers can be things like scarves, tea towels, cloth napkins, mugs, baskets, decorated tins, and home sewn gift bags. Fill appropriate containers with nuts, chocolate, or tea. A gift bag can even be made out of your worn out jeans. Just cut off a leg and sew the button shut. An old doily that is still in good shape can be used as gift wrap if you run a ribbon through the hole in the edge. Plain boxes can be decorated with rubber stamps, sponge, or potato painting.
When entertaining at Christmas it's important not to put yourself in the hole financially. At parties serve finger sandwiches, chips, or cut up vegetables and make your own dip at home out of yogurt or sour cream. Store brand chips are usually cheaper than the brand name. A big supply of popcorn is a thrifty way of munching out. For dinner choose a chicken or pasta dish instead of beef or seafood and make a mega salad. Remember that garnishes often make food look more expensive than it really is. If you're extremely restricted financially and stressed make the big Christmas dinner a potluck affair. Family members can bring a favourite dish and those who do not wish to cook can bring the cranberry, some pickles, or some punch. When buying the Christmas turkey get a utility one with a wing missing and not a leg.
Merry Christmas and may you have the bank account of Scrooge and the heart of Saint Nicholas!
Tomorrow we hear from Newfoundland's Bonnie Jarvis-Lowe.
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