Let's get started on Christmas... - Page 5

Mary Webber · 10-30-2008, 05:18 AM

Ahhh, I've made my own vanilla for years using both Mexican and Madagascar vanilla beans and either vodka or bourbon. I split the beans and cut them into 1" pieces which diffuses the vanilla flavor very quickly. The vanilla is ready to use in weeks, a month at most.

Youcan make that pricey vanilla sugar the same way...put a few cut pieces of bean in a cup of white sugar in a tightly closed jar and leave for a few weeks. YUM! and CHEAP!

Looby · 10-30-2008, 07:58 AM

Hmm- I might have to try this vanilla vodka idea!
I'm finished all my Christmas shopping and just have to finish my crafted gifts- some knitting and a little embroidery.
I've also decided to make all my Christmas cards this year and have finished half- this isn't really saving me a lot of money but card making is a hobby I just usually under-estimate how long it takes and end up buying some as well- trying to avoid that this year.

Mary Webber · 11-01-2008, 11:54 AM

Your mention of embroidery reminded me of a great gift for adults - OR kids - to make... If there's not much time and you don't have all the patience in the world, consider this one.

Take any cross-stitch chart and copy it on graph paper. Work work the desiign filling in the graph squares with either "X's" or dots, using whatever size markers fits the sqaures - and hands - best. These can become framed "smaplers" or be quick-and-cheap laminated for bookmarks. You can use glitter pens on them too.

Great for as a kid group activity.

SoapMaker · 11-02-2008, 11:53 AM

Hi!
I'm brand new to this board and LOVE everything I am reading and learning! For Christmas I will be giving my bath & body products to everyone on my list. I make everything myself, and since everyone on my list has asked for my stuff for their birthdays as well, I'm guessing they really like it. *L*

gt0163c · 11-02-2008, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Looby

I've also decided to make all my Christmas cards this year and have finished half- this isn't really saving me a lot of money but card making is a hobby I just usually under-estimate how long it takes and end up buying some as well- trying to avoid that this year.

If you have the time, you might also think about giving people a set of cards as a gift. My mom and sister both do Stampin' Up (rubber stamps) and make cards. I usually get a set of 12 various occasion cards (thank you, birthday, blank, etc) from one or both of them for either Christmas or my birthday. This works out great for everyone. They get to make cards (which they enjoy and isn't terribly difficult or expensive for them), I get handmade cards to send out for the rest of the year. Everyone loves the cards, I don't have to pick out cards from the store (except for them

) and they've even gotten some people to order sets of cards from them as a result.

Looby · 12-13-2008, 05:04 PM

Thought I'd bump this one up, since it's getting close to present "crunch time" especially if you are making them.
I'll be really annoying and say that all cards and presents were sorted and mailed the first week of December! Of course I do have 4 family birthdays between Christmas and the end of January, so I'm still working on a few items.
@ gt0163 a set of cards is a great idea, I'm going to work on that for my aunt's birthday (Easter). I did make my dad a calendar with important dates marked on it as well as birthday, anniversary, valentines, mother's day and Christmas cards for him to give my mum over the course of the year. (and stampin up is how I got sucked into the card habit too!)

Johansen8 · 12-15-2008, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xin Lu

my hubby and I put $100 a month in a gift account so when it comes time for Christmas we can afford to buy stuff for the family or spend it on ourselves. The gift account is really just part of our savings account, but we write it down on a spreadsheet as "set aside for gifts".

I would benchmark this practice ,thanks

10-30-2008, 05:18 AM	#41
Mary Webber Family Thrift Counselor Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 145 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (27)	Ahhh, I've made my own vanilla for years using both Mexican and Madagascar vanilla beans and either vodka or bourbon. I split the beans and cut them into 1" pieces which diffuses the vanilla flavor very quickly. The vanilla is ready to use in weeks, a month at most. Youcan make that pricey vanilla sugar the same way...put a few cut pieces of bean in a cup of white sugar in a tightly closed jar and leave for a few weeks. YUM! and CHEAP! __________________ Family Thrift Counselor - Get practical advice on how to save money and eat better.

11-01-2008, 11:54 AM	#43
Mary Webber Family Thrift Counselor Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 145 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (27)	Your mention of embroidery reminded me of a great gift for adults - OR kids - to make... If there's not much time and you don't have all the patience in the world, consider this one. Take any cross-stitch chart and copy it on graph paper. Work work the desiign filling in the graph squares with either "X's" or dots, using whatever size markers fits the sqaures - and hands - best. These can become framed "smaplers" or be quick-and-cheap laminated for bookmarks. You can use glitter pens on them too. Great for as a kid group activity. __________________ Family Thrift Counselor - Get practical advice on how to save money and eat better. Last edited by Mary Webber; 11-01-2008 at 12:03 PM.

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10-30-2008, 07:58 AM	#42
Looby Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 74 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (14)	Hmm- I might have to try this vanilla vodka idea! I'm finished all my Christmas shopping and just have to finish my crafted gifts- some knitting and a little embroidery. I've also decided to make all my Christmas cards this year and have finished half- this isn't really saving me a lot of money but card making is a hobby I just usually under-estimate how long it takes and end up buying some as well- trying to avoid that this year.

11-02-2008, 11:53 AM	#44
SoapMaker Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: In the desert. Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (12)	Hi! I'm brand new to this board and LOVE everything I am reading and learning! For Christmas I will be giving my bath & body products to everyone on my list. I make everything myself, and since everyone on my list has asked for my stuff for their birthdays as well, I'm guessing they really like it. L

12-13-2008, 05:04 PM	#46
Looby Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 74 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (14)	Thought I'd bump this one up, since it's getting close to present "crunch time" especially if you are making them. I'll be really annoying and say that all cards and presents were sorted and mailed the first week of December! Of course I do have 4 family birthdays between Christmas and the end of January, so I'm still working on a few items. @ gt0163 a set of cards is a great idea, I'm going to work on that for my aunt's birthday (Easter). I did make my dad a calendar with important dates marked on it as well as birthday, anniversary, valentines, mother's day and Christmas cards for him to give my mum over the course of the year. (and stampin up is how I got sucked into the card habit too!)