I infused a batch of lavender vanilla vodka this summer after getting fresh lavender at the local lavender festival. It's a bit tricky since the lavender only needs 15-30 minutes of steeping or else it tends to get bitter. Also the vanilla, I used a bean that I had split open, can be very overpowering if left for too long. Overnight was enough to get the flavor but not crowd out the lavender. Sipping it on ice on a summer night was perfection.
My family's big spluge for Christmas this year will be spending A MONTH at the beach. Most beach hotels/motels run ultra low room rates durring the winter. Here in Florida, our room will be less than $450. plus tax for a suite on the gulf. Thats cheaper than my electric bill my the month. (almost like getting the trip FREE )
If you'd like to save even more just don't celebrate it at all. Americans spent over $500 billion, yes billion dollars on Christmas last year. That's just one year. The money spent on wars through the years has been horrendous but doesn't eclipse holiday spending by much.
To quote a song lyric by Primus
What if Christmas didn't come this year
And no one paid for Christmas cheer
Who would cry the biggest tear?
The child or the store?
Breakfast in bed!!! I have asked for this for every holiday for years, but apparently, I am supposed to wake everyone up first to remind them to fix it. Kinda ruins the moment...
I make a ginger-infused vodka that's to DIE for. Here's the recipe: Find a cheap gallon jug of vodka (the cheaper, the better!). Take a swig out of the jug to fit the ginger IN the bottle. Add add approx. 1-1/2 to 2c. candied ginger. Just smoosh it in whole. Leave for approx. 3 wks and then you're ready to go. I drink it neat and then eat the ginger.
I do the same thing to make habanero vodka, which is SUPERB for bloody mary's.
Two sets of measuring cups and measuring spoons. We are doing more cooking at home for our 5 kids and 2 adults and I hate having to stop and wash them out every 2 minutes when mass cooking.
I would love a little food processor. We can use it to make smoothies and vegetable soups (squash/pumpkin!) at a fraction of the cost @ a restaurant. Plus, you get to edit to your tastes!
I would love a gift certificate from paperbackswap.com . I can get 3 books for $10.35. Then I can post those books when I'm done, and so on and so forth. It's really the never ending gift!
I'd like a new set of measuring spoons. Nothing fancy, just something simple and durable. My current set has very flimsy handles and most of them are bent.
I also love to get little toys. Matchbox cars, little plastic dinosaurs, slinkies, yo-yos, plastic finger puppet monsters. Mom...erm...Santa always gives me Silly Putty in my stocking.
I would love, love, love to have some really nice house slippers. I have been wearing my flip flops as slippers and it's just not the same now that it's cold. Oh, and some ear plugs. That would be wonderful!
I gave my mother a few years back a little Christmas Cactus in a beautiful pot (costs me about $10)...and now I want one. The thing is gorgeous and blooms twice a year! Plants are a great gift that bring life into one's space.
A plastic egg separator! Nothing fancy, just a glorified version of a slotted spoon. My parents have one, but I haven't been able to find one in the stores whenever I've looked. That would be so handy!
I infused a batch of lavender vanilla vodka this summer after getting fresh lavender at the local lavender festival. It's a bit tricky since the lavender only needs 15-30 minutes of steeping or else it tends to get bitter. Also the vanilla, I used a bean that I had split open, can be very overpowering if left for too long. Overnight was enough to get the flavor but not crowd out the lavender. Sipping it on ice on a summer night was perfection.
My family's big spluge for Christmas this year will be spending A MONTH at the beach. Most beach hotels/motels run ultra low room rates durring the winter. Here in Florida, our room will be less than $450. plus tax for a suite on the gulf. Thats cheaper than my electric bill my the month. (almost like getting the trip FREE )
I always love getting Amazon gift cards. So a $5 or $10 one would be a great gift to me.
ALAURA that's exactly what I was thinking.
If you'd like to save even more just don't celebrate it at all. Americans spent over $500 billion, yes billion dollars on Christmas last year. That's just one year. The money spent on wars through the years has been horrendous but doesn't eclipse holiday spending by much.
To quote a song lyric by Primus
What if Christmas didn't come this year
And no one paid for Christmas cheer
Who would cry the biggest tear?
The child or the store?
Breakfast in bed!!! I have asked for this for every holiday for years, but apparently, I am supposed to wake everyone up first to remind them to fix it. Kinda ruins the moment...
I make a ginger-infused vodka that's to DIE for. Here's the recipe: Find a cheap gallon jug of vodka (the cheaper, the better!). Take a swig out of the jug to fit the ginger IN the bottle. Add add approx. 1-1/2 to 2c. candied ginger. Just smoosh it in whole. Leave for approx. 3 wks and then you're ready to go. I drink it neat and then eat the ginger.
I do the same thing to make habanero vodka, which is SUPERB for bloody mary's.
A Groupon deal to a nice restaurant for dinner.
A bag of castoff towels would be heavenly-my 2 big doggies are a mess in the winter!
Two sets of measuring cups and measuring spoons. We are doing more cooking at home for our 5 kids and 2 adults and I hate having to stop and wash them out every 2 minutes when mass cooking.
A subscription to Consumer Reports' "ShopSmart;)" magazine!
I would love a little food processor. We can use it to make smoothies and vegetable soups (squash/pumpkin!) at a fraction of the cost @ a restaurant. Plus, you get to edit to your tastes!
I would love a gift certificate from paperbackswap.com . I can get 3 books for $10.35. Then I can post those books when I'm done, and so on and so forth. It's really the never ending gift!
I would enjoy a homemade cd from my kids with songs I enjoy!
I'd like a new set of measuring spoons. Nothing fancy, just something simple and durable. My current set has very flimsy handles and most of them are bent.
I also love to get little toys. Matchbox cars, little plastic dinosaurs, slinkies, yo-yos, plastic finger puppet monsters. Mom...erm...Santa always gives me Silly Putty in my stocking.
Welcome Brooke! Just in time for my Christmas shopping frenzy. =)
Cookie sheet so I can bake cookies
slanket or snuggie
I would appreciate a new mat for my front entry. It would help keep the dirt down!
I would love, love, love to have some really nice house slippers. I have been wearing my flip flops as slippers and it's just not the same now that it's cold. Oh, and some ear plugs. That would be wonderful!
I would like a hand held lime or lemon juice squeezer. They are great for salads and dressings!
Uninhibited sex.
I'm serious!
I gave my mother a few years back a little Christmas Cactus in a beautiful pot (costs me about $10)...and now I want one. The thing is gorgeous and blooms twice a year! Plants are a great gift that bring life into one's space.
Reusable sandwich bags for my lunches!
A plastic egg separator! Nothing fancy, just a glorified version of a slotted spoon. My parents have one, but I haven't been able to find one in the stores whenever I've looked. That would be so handy!
A home-cooked meal, delivered by a friend.