How to afford Christmas?

With all the uncertainty in the economy lately I am sure many of you are wondering, "How do I afford Christmas this year?" 

Well I know that I have wondered that too. So I have complied a couple of ideas for you while trying to fit into the idea of self-sufficiency.

• Homemade items

Now please don't groan out loud. I am sure that you probably have got some images of potholders that you could make using those looms. Well that isn't exactly what I have in mind. I know that many days I am running around with little thought as to what to eat. Then here it is.....dinner time and I remember I haven't taken anything out for dinner.  Why not make up Jar gifts? Yes I know that you can do cookies and brownies etc in them. But did you know that you can also do soups? They are great gifts for newlyweds, college kids, or anyone you can think of. Especially if you are interested in doing a Chicken Noodle Soup or Minestrone Soup. They also make really great teacher gifts too. For a great list of soups that can be made into a Jar visit here.

•  Gift Baskets

These can go right along with Homemade items too. Especially if you use thrift store or other frugal items. I have in the past created a new mom basket for a friend who just had a baby. I was able to pick up a really nice basket at a Thrift store for only 25cents, used a scrap piece of fabric to lay inside of it.  I then also picked up a coffee mug at the dollar store, package of plastic spoons, bag of chocolate, a couple of scented candles and I was all set.  So I melted the chocolate, dipped the spoons into it and let them cool, used ribbon to wrap the spoons, placed them and the coffee mug in the basket, along with the scented candles and I was all set.  The new mom loved the basket as it gave her a quick easy way to have a 5 minute mom time out while feeling very pampered.


With times being what they are do we really need to spend tons of money on each other just to tell someone we care about them? What happened to having practical gifts given to each other? I know for myself that I will be given more practical gifts this year and trying to save money for my family.

Can you share your ideas for Frugal Christmas Gifts?

Calling 2012 Test Kitchens for OAMC

As you learned yesterday, we use test kitchens to test out each and every one of our menus. And no, I am not sending these menus to Good Housekeeping for their review! We use readers as test cooks because after all, you are the ones doing the cooking. I need to know if the menus make sense for YOU!

SIGN ME UP!

This is not a paid opportunity (although I wish it was) but a necessary function in the life of this blog. And a service that helps make great menus free to everyone. If you are interested in finding out more about the details of being a test cook you can read more here. If you have signed up in the past you MUST sign up AGAIN for this session. We are currently looking for cooks for January through June of 2012. We like to keep our records up to date and accurate so we create a new survey or pool of test kitchens every 6 months.

You do get to indicate which menus you are most interested in, taste preferences and availability. And I will contact test cooks on a month-to-month basis and you are able to decline if you find out you are unable for that month. So don’t worry that yo have signed your life away.

We appreciate our test cooks and thank you in advance for signing up!

Homestead Drying Racks.com - Forgotten Way Blog Holiday Giveaway

Christmas Giveaway

Christmas has become very special to me; because of the child like excitement my wife has maintained every year, for the past 13 years. The warming touch to all the décor and holiday food is simply… amazing.

With this being our 3rd Homestead Christmas off the grid, I take great joy in the simple pleasures of our homestead during the holidays.  We have come a long way, from camping to building our homestead home, and we want to start our own yearly traditions with our homestead business.

With these warm thoughts do I announce the,

Forgotten Way Farms Annual Christmas Giveaway

One “Homesteader” drying rack a (value of $149) and one “Plunger Washer” a (value of $25) to one reader. This giveaway will end on Monday the 14th at midnight.
      

You may enter the following ways:

1.Become a Google Follower

2.Post about this giveaway on your blog.

3.Subcribe to our RSS feed (If you already have, still leave a comment)
4.Grab our button and link back to our homepage.

5.Do all four and leave two bonus comments for a total of six chances to win!

Please leave a separate comment for each.


Just as my family has learned new ways to old problems (speaking of laundry). Our hope is to support other families in some of the “Forgotten Ways”.

Thank you for our first great year online. We have enjoyed your emails and comments immensely.

- Forgotten Way Family


 

Tis post is a part of: Barn Hop, Monday mania, Fat Tuesday, Give it to me Monday,Domestically Divine,Call me blessed,Traditional Tuesday, Raising Homemakers, Real Food Wednesday Drying racks are not just for clothes. Herbs & noodles are just a few other things you can do with your drying rack!