'Tis the Season...to be nutty

Christmas 2010 Kick off

2010-11-15T09:25:00.000-08:00

Here we go again.

Its Christmas time again. Which is now 2 months long apparently. Everyone I know thought this Christmas crept in a little earlier than last year. I give each holiday their moment to shine. Specially since November 11th was remembrance day, we should all remember those veterans with out being blinded by the tinsel.

This week I am bringing my decorations out of storage, I would like to see what I have and start decorating the out side door. Then we can start watching movies and slowly let the magic of the season seep through the walls of my house until we just cant take it anymore!

As I get started with my family and decorating, when does your family start?

Unfinished projects everywhere

2009-11-24T09:45:00.000-08:00

projects everywhere. There is one month until christmas eve. And I have unfinished projects everywhere I look. I better get on it. Maybe if i dedicate one or two hours a night I can finish them in time. I am looking forward to not battling the crowds this year. Not going into debt and enjoying time with my family and friends.

Christmas 2009

2009-11-13T10:47:00.001-08:00

Is it just me or has Christmas started earlier this year? Maybe its the downturn of the economy stores want us to buy more, by starting early? I don't know but it seems like Halloween wasn't even over and Christmas trees were going up. If there is one thing I hate, its hype. I don't like when I am forced to do something before I am ready. November 1st is not the Official start of Christmas...Remembrance day hasn't even happened. I have nothing wrong with getting into the spirit on November 24th. That way you get an entire month to enjoy the festivities. I haven't bought a single gift this year. I dread the thought of draining my bank account and the stress of Christmas shopping, for what? To show people we care? Does it prove my love for you if I spend more money on you than you did for me? This year (as if I didn't have enough on my plate) I want to make all my Christmas gifts. Bold, I know. A part of me is scared, will I have enough time? Will people like them? What if someone buys me something and I just make them something?! Will that show that I don't love them enough? There is all sorts of doubts. This year I have committed to making my gifts. I have started by learning to knit. I have almost finished a scarf. Yes it would have been a lot cheaper to just buy a scarf at old navy, but doesn't it show more that I took them time to make something for someone?! This blog will be about the simpler things at Christmas, including, crafts, baking, free thrills, family and friends. If there is one thing I want to show this year, it is how much I love my friends and family. I haven't started decorating, I haven't bought a single Christmas decoration or gift. I hope to go back to basics this year.

Lets see how this all plays out.

Merry Christmas

Send your child (or friend) a personalized message from the big guy

2008-12-24T13:28:00.000-08:00

My mom sent this too ella, you will recieve it in your email. Santa will say your childs name and you can upload a picture of your child, and have santa say what your child wants for christmas. Its a real man not just a cartoon, try it out its really great, ella watched it twice.

http://portablenorthpole.sympatico.msn.ca/home

Norad Santa

2008-12-24T13:21:00.001-08:00

Dont forget to check out Santa's progress on the norad site.
Its great for the kids to watch how close he is to their house.
I have had it on my computer all morning

http://www.noradsanta.org

The stocking were hung by the chiminey with care

2008-12-21T09:29:00.000-08:00

Its getting close, you can feel the anticipation in the air. At this time I hope you aren't like me and scrambling around for last minute gifts and pulling your hair out.
Maybe you just have a few things to do, like Stuffing stockings! I thought I would compose a list of what you could put in stocking for any age.
Check out good quality dollar stores ones where everything is actually a dollar. But dont just shove it with crappy dollar store crap, you want it to actually be useful, thats why I put nice treats in, like character band aids and lip chap just for my 5 yr old, or deoderant and magazines for my husband.
Get creative and think outside the sock!

Baby Girls and boys 0 to 3
Soothers, teething cookies, travel creams and lotions, tiny stuffies, sippy cups, toy cars, trains,

girls and boys 3 +
Stickers/Sticker books, Character band aids, lip chap, key chains, socks, underwear, hair accessories, pretend make up, hot wheels, chocolates, manderines ( does everyone do that or just my family?) jewlery, word serches/jumbles, Books,

Older guys:
Deoderant, body spray, body wash, a beer, magazine, scratch tickets, books, coffee, coffee cards, gag gifts, scarves, hat, Mits, lip chap, mints, gum, mouthwash, maps ( hiking trails, driving maps) Nose hair trimmers, nail clippers, memory cards, Flash Lights, chocolates

Older ladies:
Deoderant, body spray, body wash, bubble bath, bath bombs, bath oils, pumices, hand cream, nail polish, panties, magazines, lip gloss, make up, hair ties, body lotions, scratch tickets, gift cards, stickers, chocolates, candies

anything I missed, what does your family put in stockings? Or what new traditions have you started with your family?

Bright Nights @ Stanley Park

2008-12-20T08:50:00.000-08:00

Something I have always wanted to do was go to Bright Nights at Stanley park. I have never been but after going to the ghost train a couple times I imagined the Christmas train would be spectacular. It was it was a fun family event, in theory. The train was adorable going around a small track for about 10 or 15 mins you get to see the displays they have made and listen to christmas carols. It was great. Around the yard there is a light display and a petting zoo. They also have Hot chocolate, popcorn, roasted chestnuts and carolers. Now for why I would never go back, being that this was the coldest winter in 15 years it was a little cold. I think it was -9 that night without the windchill. But the crowds were completely overwhelming. it was like being at the PNE in winter. We got there at 7 15 and the next avaible tickets were for 8 30. So we walked around the yards, checked out the carolers ate a chestnut...that took 10 mins, we still had one hour to wait with a 5 yr old a 20 month old and a pregnant lady, with no where to sit. We stood in line for the last 45 mins while the men too the kids to the petting zoo. I really think its great that Vancouver has these amazing family activities but shouldnt the crowds tell you something, like its way too crowded in the lower mainland. The whole night was way too overwhelming and over stimulating. It wasnt fair to subject that to children, people pushing through crowds and having no respect for one another. for a family of 4 it cost us 21 $ Best part was when we got in the car and both kids, who i am sure had the time of their lives, passed out and Graham and I went to tim hortons and got a coffee. As soon as we got home we put on christmas Vacation and Graham and I fell asleep! All and all it was a good time and we have some good family memories, im glad it wasnt raining, but those crowds! Those crowds are enough that I would never want to go back. although I most likely will, because The kids loved it, and once you get over the agrophobia it was a great night, I would much rather be standing there in the cold then in the rain.

Pack of blank cards, some paint and some glitter

2008-12-19T08:26:00.000-08:00

Ashley and I made Christmas Cards last night, it was fun we just painted little designs on blank cards and embellished them with Glitter
here is what we came up with:

Gingerbread Cake with Brown sugar sauce

2008-12-18T09:14:00.000-08:00

I was looking for a festive loaf to give to Ella's teacher and my boss in these cute little ceramic loaf tins I tried earlier in the day to make a chocolate gingerbread loaf and failed horribly, so I got graham to make this and it was perfect! I made the sauce YUM it was a team effort. For an added touch I put crystallized ginger on top

Cake

1 large Egg
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup boiling water
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Brown sugar Sauce

1 cup Packed Brown sugar
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups water
1 teaspoon vanilla

Cake: Beat egg in mixing bowl until frothy, Beat in cooking oil and molasses
Add sugar, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and salt/ Beat Slowly to combine.
Dissolve baking soda in Boliing water and add to matter. Slowly mix in flour with a wooden spoon.
Turn into greased 8X8 pan or 9X9 pan ( or 3 small loaf pans like I did)Bake at 350 F for about 35-40 mins or until and inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Serve with Warm brown sugar sauce

For Sauce

Mix brown sugar, flour and salt together well in medium saucepan
Stir in water and vanilla
Heat stirring over medium heat until sauce thickens and boils (makes about 2 and 1/2 cups
Serve warm

Our decorations

2008-12-12T10:57:00.001-08:00

'Tis the Season to Give

2008-12-11T08:45:00.000-08:00

Today why not go through your cupboards and pull out some non-perishable food items to donate to the food banks. Even someone who has very little can donate one item. How blessed are we to have so much food, so much that some of it can just sit until it expires? So before that happens pass it on to those in need. Ella's school is collecting food I will send her with a bag today. Most supermarkets have a box in their store for customers to drop off food. So even if you can only give one can that helps, just imagine if every person donated one can there sure would be a lot of food for the less fortunate to eat . So amongst all the spending and frenzy this Christmas, take a moment out to help someone else.

2 more weeks

2008-12-11T08:35:00.000-08:00

I cant believe I am saying that, I have been thinking of Christmas for 2 months and we are already 2 weeks away. As much as I have done to celebrate the season, knowing there is only two weeks, makes me realize how much I HAVEN'T done. I guess I was all cocky because I started shopping and decorating in November, and had a party the first weekend in December. But I have neglected so many other things. Here is a list of my to do's

Go to the Christmas Train with the kids
Go to the Park and Tillford Gardens
Watch more Christmas Movies
Decorate the Gingerbread house
Paint the Inedible cookies (kids)
Go to the Christmas Trees in dunderave
Buy presents for numerous people still
Wrap a single gift
Write down what I have bought for whom so far
Make sugar scrub

Im sure there is way more, I am happy to have gotten my cards out at least that is one giant thing off my list. I also have to remember to just stop and enjoy this, yes there is two weeks until Christmas, so enjoy this moment, soon it will be over and all we will have left is the debt and mess to clean up. The moments leading up to Christmas is what really counts.
Tonight my goal is to the Lights at the Park and Tillford Gardens. The kids will love it.(and best of all its FREE)

what do you have left to do are you finished shopping, have you even started?? Is there anywhere you want to visit to get in the spirit?

Write your letter to santa

2008-12-10T09:17:00.000-08:00

have you written to santa? Dont forget he writes back!
Just write you address on the back of the envelope
the jolly guys address is

Santa Claus
North Pole
HOH OHO

The kids can get creative and decorate the card or letter and the envelope too, No stamp required thanks to the generous people at Canada Post!

Happy mailing

Graham Cracker Cottages

2008-12-05T12:12:00.001-08:00

I am winging this cause I have never done it before, But I assume you will just need

a box of graham crackers
Melting chocolate for Glue ( or icing)
candies to decorate the house
cardboard to place house on

And have fun, simple easy, relativity inexpensive, fun and something you might actually eat afterward!

Will post photos when I am make them, will be making them tomorrow

Make some Keepsake "cookies" for your tree

2008-12-03T09:06:00.000-08:00

Get the kids together for this fun easy activity, but make sure no one licks the bowl! These cookies will last for years, you will not only be cooking up ornaments you will be cooking up memories!

You will need:

4 Cups all purpose flour
1 cup salt
1 1/2 cup water (more until Dough like)
cookie cutters
mod Podge
Straw
Ribbon

Preheat oven to 300 F. Mix salt and flour and water, knead well. Make a small ball; if it cracks add a few drops of water to dough.
Roll dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Stamp with cutters. Use straw to poke a hole 1/4 inch from top cookie. Bake for one hour.

Allow ornaments to completely cool and dry for two days; paint and decorate as you like, letting kids get creative. finish with painting with Mod Podge dry and thread with Ribbon.
Dont forget to put the year on the back and who decorated it.
These would make lovely gifts too.

I will be making these with the kids and will take pictures later.

Make something day "NOEL" banner

2008-11-28T16:15:00.000-08:00

First start with your supplies

5 pieces of red felt

2 pieces of white felt

1 green

1 yellow

spool of festive ribbon

fabric glue or good white glue

sticky snowflakes, items to decorate each letter with

Using a printer Print the letters NOEL out so each letter takes up most of the page, you can use which ever font you like. Cut out each letter from the paper and pin to white felt.
Cut out felt around the paper letters,
Place white felt on Red felt so that it is in the middle with plenty of room on the top and bottom.

You can sew the folded part of the felt here so that there is enough room to fit ribbon through.

OR you can fold felt over and glue wait until dry to thread felt through.

Decorate each letter with seasonal decorations

I used the yellow to make stars, green to make holly with red buttons, glittery sticky foam snowflakes and foamy penguines, I also cut the bottoms out in diffent patterns

thread your ribbon through using a safty pin on the end of the ribbon to help. And hang where ever you want to show it. Fold up and use for christmases to come.

I didnt take a picture of it fully done with ribbon and all but i will when i display it in my house.

If you have any questions just ask.

This was fun and relativly quick. I hope you will try and make it too

The unofficial Official start of Christmas

2008-11-28T09:25:00.000-08:00

Seeing as how yesterday was American thanksgiving I guess now we can officially start celebrating Christmas, Cause it isnt christmas until the Americans say so!
So if you went down to the states for the deals and crowds, good luck! And if you are at home on this yucky day, why no make a craft check out the Make some thing day blog and make something, cause today is make something day.

My favorite Christmas Songs

2008-11-28T09:08:00.000-08:00

Dominick the Donkey: Lou Monte
The Chipmunk song (Christmas Dont be late) Alvin and the Chipmunks
O Tannenbaum: Charlie Brown Christmas
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays: N*Sync
All I want for Christmas is you: Mariah Carrey
Last Christmas: Wham
Let it snow Frank Sinatra
baby its cold outside The old one, the original
The Christmas Song: Micheal Buble
Mele Kalikimaka: Bing Crosby
Feliz Navidad Jose Feliciano
Do they know its Christmas John Lennon
Blue Christmas Elvis Presley
I'll be home for christmas Tony Bennet
Rocking around the christmas Tree Brenda Lee
Joy to the world: Faith Hill

That's what I have so far, that was just off the top of my head and I just started yesterday. so This list will grow and grow, but I would love to know what other people cant live with out Musically so please Add to my list and suggest a song or two.
and do yourself a favour pop in some christmas tunes when you are having a hard day its hard to stay mad when you hear these tunes!

FREE Chistmas Tunes for the next 48 hours ONLY!

2008-11-26T19:39:00.001-08:00

Right now you can Download 8 free holiday songs from Oprah's site. They are a great mix of holiday music from popular artists, such as Faith Hill, Il Divo, Josh Grobin, Tony Bennette and MORE! I am listening to it right now. It was really simple to download too, So act fact this will be gone in 48 hours!

SO CLICK HERE and start Downloading the 8 tracks and get in the holiday spirit. You can even Download album cover and song list (talk about an inexpensive gift!)

Wrapping paper alternatives (Green Christmas)

2008-11-25T08:46:00.000-08:00

As a recycling nut myself, it kills me to throw out so much paper in the means of wrapping paper. There has to be an alternative! There are a few why not try one this year?

Re-using wrapping paper ( from year to year, who needs to rip off the paper with delight anyways?)
Newspaper (Here I thought my uncle was just cheap all these years for using Newspaper, he was just trying to save the environment! Comic sections are the most colorful)
Childrens' art ( I do this for Bday gifts just so I dont have to buy wrapping paper, but Ella is always coming home with these huge paintings and as much as I would love to save every last one of them its not possible, so pass them on in the way of wrapping paper)
Material ( Wrap a cookbook in an apron or a pair of slippers in a nighty, that way the wrapping becomes the gift.)
Cloth Bags ( i have mentioned this before, but they are wonderful, not only useful but economical and low in price, can be used again and again comes in many different sizes and stlyes too)
Brown paper bags ( paper or plastic? Ask for paper bags next time you shop and stock up on your wrapping paper, then wrap the gifts with it and use a pen or a stamp to make the gift pretty with christmas. Best of all the paper can be placed in the blue box when the day is over.)
No gift tags (yes they look beautiful and they let people know whose gift is whose, but they are a waste of money and wasteful. Try last years christmas cards cut into smaller pieces, or using a sharpie on the bottom of the gift or other piece of scrap paper found around the house.)
No Bows or Ribbons (Bows are easy to save and reuse without feeling like the cheapest person in the world. )

You just have to be a little creative but you can pretty much use anything you like. What are some alternates you have used, which one might you try this year?

The countdown is on!

2008-11-24T22:11:00.000-08:00

One month until the big day! How exciting, but I am sure a lot of people hold off until December until they can get really excited about it. But seeing as how there is one month left make sure you enjoy the following days go to craft fairs, santa parades, watch the carol ships, donate to the food/toy bank, drink egg nog, eat fruit cake, buy an advent calender, listen to christmas carols, Sing along to the christmas carols, throw a party, sit on santas lap, watch a christmas movie, wear red, wear a santa hat, hang misletoe, call your gandmother, make a gingerbread house, bake cookies, eat cookies, do whatever makes you happy...Enjoy the most wonderful time of the year!

kick off the season

2008-11-18T21:26:00.000-08:00

Why not get your friends together for a christmas get-together to start the holiday season off right? Everyone can bring an appitizer and eat drink and be merry, play some christmas carols, maybe even dress up fancy. What a nice way to get in the christmas spirit and share you home with loved ones.

Christmas Movies

2008-11-17T00:35:00.000-08:00

Getting in the Christmas spirit tonight we watched Home alone 2! It was the first official Christmas movie that we watched of the year! We got all the Movies out of the Christmas Box from the storage room. And that got me thinking what my favorites are and which ones I would like to buy. So I am going to compile my Christmas Movie Favorites List and hope you will add some too it.

In No Particular Order might I add

Home Alone
Home Alone 2
The Santa Clause
Elf
The Grinch who stole Christmas (Animated)
The Grinch who stole Christmas (live action)
Christmas Vacation
Christmas Story
Miracle on 34th street (the remake)
Little woman (remake)

Those are just my very favorites, the ones that Hands down I watch each year
Please add to my list, what is your favorite or just ones that come to mind.

http://tistheseasontobenutty.blogspot.com/

No present policy

2008-11-15T11:19:00.000-08:00

On wednesday I was talking to a nurse at the drop in I go to and I was asking her if she was getting ready for Christmas, had she been buying gifts yet? She said her and her family instilled a "No present" policy. I was kind of shocked, NO PRESENTS!? what do you do on christmas day then?! Her and her hubby exchange gifts and people buy for her son, but really what is the reason to buy for everyone she said. it takes away most of the 'christmas stress' and the money woes and its really all about the kids anyways. Its so true, although I dont know if I could be bold enough to do that myself. As much as I think Christmas is about being with the ones I love I also love to see what the people I love chose to get for me, and I like to treat the ones I love with something special. Graham and I dont get to treat ourselves that much through out the year so chirstmas is a nice time to get gifts and enjoy being a kid again. Although Graham and I have started setting limits, last year we only spent 30$ on each other (well I did I can tell he went over) But it definitly is nice to have a set limit. Generally I like I keep the gifts to 25 to 50$ per person. Like I mentioned before Angie and I decided to make no presents for eachother last year, which she BROKE and bought a gift for me lol! But it definitly takes some stress out of the holidays to set agreements to not have to buy for a bunch of people. So would you ever do a no present policy? Are you doing a no present policy? What is your limit for presents per person this year?

Gift suggestions

2008-11-13T09:34:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Angie who suggested this site. She uses it to help her when it come to getting people gifts.
They have gift suggestions according to Personality types, interests, gender, relationship to you. Its quite helpful, if you find yourself stumped, when it comes to original gifts.
Check it out, GIFTS.COM

Circle Craft Vancouver

2008-11-12T09:56:00.000-08:00

The 35^th annual Circle Craft Christmas Market will be a six day show starting Tuesday, Nov. 11
until Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008 where you can find more than 266 Canadian artisans under the sails of the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre to present their wares at Western Canada’s largest one-of-a-kind gift fair.

Shoppers and attendees will find gorgeous clay work, the newest and hottest of Canadian fashion and jewellery design, stunning glasswork, handmade candles and soaps, unique clothing and toy items for children, an assortment of amazing home décor items (from ceiling tin to floor mats to garden sculptures), fine art from acclaimed visual artists, and many more carefully handcrafted items in felt, wool, wood, leather and metal. And, there’s food—delicious chocolates, sauces, dressings and more!

(Taken from Web site below click to find out more! And for discounts on attending the craft fair!)
Circle Craft Fair Web Site

Winners and Homesence

2008-11-09T10:30:00.000-08:00

What a fabulous place to buy gifts from! talk about getting more for your dollar. Everything there is already 60% less than what you would pay at a regular store so right there you are saving. Not to mention that the gifts are unique. What you find at one store might not be at the next. Its great if you have a cook or baker that you need to buy for because their kitchen section is amazing. Lots of gadgets and tools and bakeware.
They have great coffee table books, photo albums, board games, decorations, picture frames, pictures, linens, TOYS! I could go on and on. I love to get most of my gifts at winners not only is it close to my house (heh heh) but I find that I can get a better quality of gift for what my budget allows.
Also if you are on an even tighter budget this year, then check out their clearance aisle. Thats where they put the items they mark down. But make sure you check them throughly because sometimes they are damaged, but a lot of them time they just want to make room for more mechchandise.

Happy shopping

Why Buy it when You can make it, and why not make it on Make Something day!?

2008-11-07T08:48:00.000-08:00

I just found this blog while reading another blog about make something day. What a wonderful Idea! It goes with my theme, why not make something for someone for christmas on make something day? And the day just happens to be the day after American thanksgiving, when most people are more interested in getting first in line at Walmart for a 49$ microwave....Where people are trampled to death over a Low price DVD...what kind of world do we live in?! So why not stay home and make sugar scrub, or a coin purse, or cloth napkins?? All the instructions are on the blog with lots of different suggestions. This year I want to make Aprons. So I will be on the look out for an apron pattern. so if anyone has one please post a link. To check out the Make something day link click the box below.

Secret Santa

2008-11-05T16:28:00.000-08:00

Do you have a large Family or Circle of friends. Dread buying presents for everyone Talk about doing a Secret Santa situation. Where everyone puts there names in a hat and everyone picks a name and you just buy for that one person. That way the gifts are a little bit nicer in quality and more sentimental because you didn't have to spread your Christmas budget thin to give a gift to everyone and you have more time to focus on that one gift. Don't forget to set a spending Limit. Worried other people still might give you a gift, well that's their choice if you don't have anything for them, be gracious and accept.

Hidden expenses

2008-11-04T10:31:00.001-08:00

Now that you have taken into consideration the costs associated with all the Christmas gifts you like to give you need to consider all the non gift expenses there are. To help you I will list some so you can get budgeting.

Christmas Cards:
*Dont forget about how soon you want to get them out, if you want to have a family picture in it, now is the time to book a photo session so you can have the photos back before December.
Buy your cards after christmas this year to save at least 50% off the price. Buy blank cards from micheals (with 40% off coupon) and get your child to decorate the front or glue a family picture on the front or just get really creative and do what ever you like. Hand deliver cards instead of mailing the local ones.

How many do you need to buy?
How many do you need to mail away?
How many of those are special postage?

Longdistant Phone calls:
Will you be calling relatives over seas or accross country, that can add up too. Call in "off peak" times to save you money. Using a long distant deal like "yak" can help you save if you dont have a plan already on your phone. Click here to learn how to start saving.

Christmas food:
Ever find out someone if popping by your place in an hour, somewhat unexpectantly, so you dash out to the store grab some crakers, cheese, and pop and end up spending 20$. I have and in retrospect that could have been avoided with some better planning on my behalf. Its always nice to give your guests a little someone the nosh on while they are over during the busy season so why not plan a head! Have some items in your pantry that are reserved just for guests who are popping by. Such as Crackers, nuts, dried fruit, something you can keep in the freezer and just pop in the oven in a pinch, juices and/or pop. Keep your eyes open for sales on non perishable foods that will keep well between now and Christmas while shopping in November. That way you wont run out all frazzled likely to pay more Getting caught in the christmas rush making you more stressed, and you can spend more time getting yourself or your home ready.
If you are hosting christmas dinner, lunch or brunch, why not make it buffet style and have each guest bring a dish to share. Taking some of the work load off you and having everyone else pitch in.

Decorations:
If you dont already know the best time to buy decorations is AFTER Christmas. So if you can wait until then you will be spending a lot less then if you buy it now. Also the Salavation Army had A LOT of decorations at great prices, obviously! Sometimes the decorations are brand new or even better vintage or retro. Keep your eyes open for Swap meets lots of elderly people are selling their whole whack of decorations because they cant be bothered anymore. What a great way to get one of a kind decorations. I try to keep myself to buying one or two items a year because if I buy a huge amount I wouldnt be able to store it while I am not using it!

Gift Bags

2008-11-01T11:43:00.000-07:00

They look nice, but they cost money and beyond holding a gift they dont do much else but end up in the landfill! What a waste of you money! Lat year I thought there must be a better way and there is. Using Resuable shopping bags from retailers to "wrap" gifts in. These bags are relativly inexpensive (usually 1 dollar or under) and come in a lot of different designs and styles. They come in lots of sizes too. Zellers has smaller bags for .79 cents that hold small gifts.

best of all the recipiant gets a bag to use out of it instead of garbage!

North Pole dot com

2008-10-29T10:05:00.000-07:00

Santa's Website

for activities, games, recipes, stories and more.

Tips on ways to save money when buying gifts

2008-10-28T07:54:00.000-07:00

Start Early:

Now is a good time to start looking for presents. Because christmas is about 2 months away you can spread the spending out over 2 months, and not over a couple weeks, which could get you in a finacial pinch. Lots of stores have sales right now because they are trying to make room for all the chirstmas stock you just have to keep your eye out in the flyers and by making your list early you already have an idea of how much (if not what you might want to buy) for each person on your list. That way, if say, while you are shopping for laundry detergent you see a blanket on sale for Grandma you can grab it then.

Make an Agreement:

Are you ok with not getting a million presents at christmas would you be happy to buy one less gift, then why not talk to a friend or family member and not exchange gifts with them. They will probably be relieved to no have to buy for another person anyways. You could always make a commitment to spend a special day with that person in the new year.

Homemade gifts:

This is usually easier said than done. Who has the time to hand craft everyones gift?? well if you set aside one evening/afternoon in December you can get a lot of people crossed off your list for not so much money. Baking is an excellent way to treat someone at christmas, who doesnt love a bag/basket/tin of homemade goodies during the holidays! If baking isnt your forte (like me!) why not try something like popcorn. Google different recipes and try someout and you can fill up cellophane bags with your delishious treat and pass on to friends and family. Or make a couple different flavours and give a variety. http://www.thatsmyhome.com/mainstreet/popcorn/index.htm for example has a lot of different recipes.

EBAY!:

I love Ebay for unique one of a kind gifts. I have bought a couple gifts off ebay so far. One year I bought Graham a Djambe (hand drum) these run for around 50$ at a store, picked it up for 18 plus shipping on ebay. He loved it. Last year I bought a picture of Grahams Favorite singer off ebay for 5$ and framed it myself with the pick and the ticket stub from the concert. He really appreciated that too. Ebay is a great way to get those gifts you wont find in the store and you dont even have to leave the house.
Just make sure you give youself plenty of time for shipping and take into concideration, shipping costs (before you bid! and exchange rates which are really high right now!)

Pictures as gifts:

I have pretty much been doing this since we were a family in 2003. I get our family pictures taken at Sears and give those to extended family and friends in Christmas Cards. This year I decided to do something a little different. To get one of my friends to take the snaps of the family Eliminating the cost (and cheesieness) associated with Sears and get my favorite photos turned into cards on Kodak.
They do cost more than a pack of cards from walmart but the card is the gift. They look really lovely. We recently did this with our thank you cards from the wedding and I am awestruck at how awesome they look. And right now they have a promotion if you spend over 60$ you can get 35 percent off.
This site isnt limited to cards, they have photo books (which are AMAZING! ) calendars, mugs, pretty much anything you can think of you can get a picture on it! Plus they are always having a promotion just look for it before you buy, sometimes you save the tax, or get a percentage off. Worth taking a look. How awesome would it be to take your parents old pictures scan them and turn them into a wicked coffee table book??

This is just a taste of ways to save a little dough during the season, with out seeming cheap or unappreciative. I will leave you with that today much more to come. We have lots of time!

seeing as how there is quite a while until Christmas

2008-10-27T08:35:00.000-07:00

Now would be a good time to actually think about how much you want to spend before you become blinded by the glittery garlands and blinking lights. (and trust me retailers usually put up that stuff the day after Halloween and that's THIS Friday, and I have already seen Christmas as the HBC family of stores ahhh)

So sit down and think how much do I want to spend this year? before you write down anything else, how much do you want to (or think you actually) spend on all your gifts for everyone one. Have that number written down or in your head? ok proceed. Who do you buy for, think about that, and write out every possible person you could think of even if you dont think you will be buying them a gift just to know you didnt leave anyone behind. Try that:

Who do you need to buy for?

Parents/Siblings
Significant other
Kids
Extended Family (Grandparents, Aunts and uncles, Cousins, Step families etc)
Friends
Co workers
Other

Now think, do I really have to buy a gift for all those people?? Would anyone really care if I didn't get them a bath soap gift basket they probably re-gift anyways? As a rule of thumb, I think about last Christmas and if that person thought enough about me last year to give me something then I will think of them this year and return the favor. and even if someone does give you a gift and you don't have one for them its not the end of the world, say thanks you and give them a thank you card to show your appreciation. For the most part for extended family members or people I wont even see I send a card with a family picture in it, which only really works if you have a family. Getting pictures done are a nice gift for family members who dont see you all the time.

Now once you have your list. How much do you spend on each of those people (how much would you like to spend on each of those people) add that number up. Does that sound reasonable? are you going to be paying for this christmas well into Next year? Is that the point of Christmas, to buy gifts! Of course not. If your total if waaaay over what you wanted to spend you need some adjustments to make. Do you really have to buy ANOTHER teapot for your dads great aunt gertrude? Or do you really need to spend 100$ on a gift for your sister?

These questions and more ways to save money of gifts next time.

http://tistheseasontobenutty.blogspot.com/

Less than 2 months away

2008-10-26T09:19:00.001-07:00

There is less than 2 months until christmas, 59 days to be exact. and I was thinking how great would it be to document my journey to get there. I usually get a little nutty during the season so hence the name.

This will be a documentation of what christmas is like for a family of 4 who makes little money, pays a lot of rent, while pregnant, both work and how we manage to budget, plan, and fit in fun winter activities for our young family!

Complete with Crafts, Money saving ideas, Decoration tips, activities, Song lists, and a little ranting for good measure!

Happy holidays!