Every year my sister asks what I want for Christmas, and every year I tell her that I would greatly appreciate the help of her and her husband around my house. As a single mom with a house to take care of by myself all of a sudden, I could use help trimming bushes, caulking, painting, etc. A free donation of elbow grease would be so wonderful! But every year she goes to the mall and buys me some pretty little thing I don't really need. Oh well, here's holding out hope! :-)
Oh oh...I REALLY want one of those apple corer thingys from Williams Sonoma. You just push it through the center of the apple and the core comes right out. My kids always want a WHOLE apple but without the core. Hello, how do you do that without this tool? Try telling your 3 1/2 & 5 yr old it can't be done unless I have a special tool. It didn't work. :) The best part, it's only $10. It's really one of the very few things I'd like to have. Funny how the small things can make you soooo happy. Please pick me!!!
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/cuisipro-apple-corer/?pkey=e|cuisipro%2Bapple%2Bcorer|1|best|0|1|24||1&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-
I would LOVE a bar or two of nice handmilled French soap. I love good soap but seldom buy it for myself. The difference between that and a cheap bar of supermarket soap or shower gel is huge!
One of those multi-USB ports. I work at home on a laptop and it has two USB ports. I have three things that I use (keyboard, mouse & printer). Right now I unplug the mouse to use the printer and when I'm done printing then I plug the mouse back in.
the little travel tissue packs and Blistex lip balms. I never have them around when I need them and receiving a pack or two of each would just be such a neat gift!
I really want a Klean Kanteen double insulated coffee mug (still under $20) - it will be helpful in bringing my own drinks on the bus and thus is both an inexpensive present and a device that furthers my frugal endeavors. :-)
We exchange homemade Christmas ornaments every year. After years and years of this I have the most beautiful tree around. :) We date each one and it is nice to remember as we hang it on the tree the next year. :) They are my favorite presents of all.
A flashlight. Since I decided to use the bus instead of car to get to work, I've been walking ~1 mile to the bus stop--and now that the days are getting short, it's dark when I leave the house. I could really use a flashlight to keep me from tripping over choppy sidewalk / keep cars from hitting me.
With regular, packaged bread going for anywhere from $1 to $3 a loaf and the fact that my family goes through a good 3 loaves a week, I'd like to start baking our bread. The problem is that I don't have any loaf pans. They're one of those things that I always put off buying because I feel like it would be a splurge. I'd love to get a few of them for Christmas this year. They'd end up paying for themselves within a few weeks!
I would be so very grateful for someone to help me with prep and clean up this year for the holidays! It's free but means the world to me. There are seventeen adults and four kiddos this year which is overwhelming.
I'm old enough to remember Christmas Clubs. Even though banks discontinued practice decades ago it was a valuable lesson. I have always had my "gift" fund as part of my savings account at local bank. I put away money every month for holidays, birthdays and estimate "other" occasions that may pop up the following year. I withdraw the money in October for Christmas so I can then shop with cash. If the recipient wants to return gift, they can get cash back and not a "due" bill.
Another tip -- for decorations -- I shop my own house. The stores look great at the holidays but I just use it for decorating ideas. I look for ideas/trends, then go through all my stuff. Last Christmas I decorated with what I had. I only needed a few decorative items such as candles, placemats, napkins, etc. Not expensive, no guilt/stress and the house looked fine.
Every year my sister asks what I want for Christmas, and every year I tell her that I would greatly appreciate the help of her and her husband around my house. As a single mom with a house to take care of by myself all of a sudden, I could use help trimming bushes, caulking, painting, etc. A free donation of elbow grease would be so wonderful! But every year she goes to the mall and buys me some pretty little thing I don't really need. Oh well, here's holding out hope! :-)
We don't have any, so I would love to have family pictures to display. I'd also like to have a big coffee mug and seeds for my garden next year.
Some new books
There are lots of "frugal" gifts I'd truly appreciate, including...
Homemade baked goods
Help with turning those plastic barrels in our backyard into rain barrels (yup, they've been sitting there for months now!)
Some drought-resistant plants to plant in our front yard
Heirloom seeds from The Seed Bank (http://rareseeds.com)
A simple rain-proof poncho suitable for babywearing
Oh oh...I REALLY want one of those apple corer thingys from Williams Sonoma. You just push it through the center of the apple and the core comes right out. My kids always want a WHOLE apple but without the core. Hello, how do you do that without this tool? Try telling your 3 1/2 & 5 yr old it can't be done unless I have a special tool. It didn't work. :) The best part, it's only $10. It's really one of the very few things I'd like to have. Funny how the small things can make you soooo happy. Please pick me!!!
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/cuisipro-apple-corer/?pkey=e|cuisipro%2Bapple%2Bcorer|1|best|0|1|24||1&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-
Books. Books and chocolate. You could get me some of each for less than $20! :)
I would LOVE a bar or two of nice handmilled French soap. I love good soap but seldom buy it for myself. The difference between that and a cheap bar of supermarket soap or shower gel is huge!
One of those multi-USB ports. I work at home on a laptop and it has two USB ports. I have three things that I use (keyboard, mouse & printer). Right now I unplug the mouse to use the printer and when I'm done printing then I plug the mouse back in.
the little travel tissue packs and Blistex lip balms. I never have them around when I need them and receiving a pack or two of each would just be such a neat gift!
I need a meat thermometer...definitely under the $20 mark...
Or, an inexpensive kitchen scale
Or, an inexpensive timer!
Actually...I may be able to get all of these items for under $20!!!
I would love to receive homemade recipes from family members. Cooking familiar things is such a comfort, especially around the holidays.
I'm not big on Christmas, but I do love homemade ornaments for my tree. I love having the memories.
I really need some new hairties. Mine keep breaking or getting stretched out!
I would like my siblings to give me lessons. Once is a great cook, and the other plays guitar!
I also have friends who are fabulous photographers. I would love a print of their work to frame and display in my home!
I really want a Klean Kanteen double insulated coffee mug (still under $20) - it will be helpful in bringing my own drinks on the bus and thus is both an inexpensive present and a device that furthers my frugal endeavors. :-)
We exchange homemade Christmas ornaments every year. After years and years of this I have the most beautiful tree around. :) We date each one and it is nice to remember as we hang it on the tree the next year. :) They are my favorite presents of all.
A flashlight. Since I decided to use the bus instead of car to get to work, I've been walking ~1 mile to the bus stop--and now that the days are getting short, it's dark when I leave the house. I could really use a flashlight to keep me from tripping over choppy sidewalk / keep cars from hitting me.
a bundt pan, or some nice socks. Really, Mom!
I love homemade cookies/breads/jams because I'm not a great cook :)
I wouldn't mind a pair of hand-knit gloves or a scarf- I just moved to the east coast and it's way colder here than it was at home!
With regular, packaged bread going for anywhere from $1 to $3 a loaf and the fact that my family goes through a good 3 loaves a week, I'd like to start baking our bread. The problem is that I don't have any loaf pans. They're one of those things that I always put off buying because I feel like it would be a splurge. I'd love to get a few of them for Christmas this year. They'd end up paying for themselves within a few weeks!
ohmiss14(at)yahoo.com
I would be so very grateful for someone to help me with prep and clean up this year for the holidays! It's free but means the world to me. There are seventeen adults and four kiddos this year which is overwhelming.
A pair (or two) of nice trouser socks. I've started dressing a little nicer to work, and my current socks are too thick to fit into my nicer shoes.
I would love a year-in-review homemade photo book and/or art as well as things done with the family. Something to look back on with fond memories.
I'm old enough to remember Christmas Clubs. Even though banks discontinued practice decades ago it was a valuable lesson. I have always had my "gift" fund as part of my savings account at local bank. I put away money every month for holidays, birthdays and estimate "other" occasions that may pop up the following year. I withdraw the money in October for Christmas so I can then shop with cash. If the recipient wants to return gift, they can get cash back and not a "due" bill.
Another tip -- for decorations -- I shop my own house. The stores look great at the holidays but I just use it for decorating ideas. I look for ideas/trends, then go through all my stuff. Last Christmas I decorated with what I had. I only needed a few decorative items such as candles, placemats, napkins, etc. Not expensive, no guilt/stress and the house looked fine.