Holiday Candy TrainsGlue 1 ribbon onto wide side of gum package, 1 raisin package, 2 more gum packages and 1 more raisin package, spacing cars about 1/2 inch apart.
Cute Holiday Crafts?Does anyone have any frugal, cute crafts to start for the holidays? Like little gifts for teachers, etc.
Decorate for Christmas Over TimeHere is a great Christmas decorating idea to try. Try decorating ahead of time, I love this. We all get busy and tired the nearer Christmas gets. To stay stress free and get all the decorating done I do it SLOWLY, a little everyday, starting around the 3rd week of Nov.
Smores Snowmen Christmas Ornament?I am looking for the pattern for making a Smores Snowmen out of paper. I do a new ornament each year for my grandchildren and thought this might be a cute one. I also thought about making ones out of the real ingredients and clear varnishing each item. I wonder if that would work?
Candy Fire Truck?What would be the best way to make a small, edible Fire Truck made out of unwrapped candy to give to FireFighters on Christmas Day.
Homemade Gift For a 15 Year Old Boy?This year, our large extended family have decided to not buy any gifts for each other and to make them all. I love this idea and have made jewelry, a poem journal and am working on some magnets. Now my only trouble is what to make for my cousin Lan.
Yuletide LogsOn Christmas, put them on fire and watch them as they put out the most beautiful, lasting glow.
Santa Heads Made From Detergent Bottles?Last year I went to Florida to a Christmas bazaar and I saw Santa Claus heads made with wool and fabric from detergent and liquid soap bottles. Does someone know how to make them? Over here in Germany they don't know these decorations. I want to make some of them for my friends.
Mississippi Christmas Charities?Charities that offer help during the holiday season in Mississippi. Please post feedback about any charities you may know about.
North Dakota Christmas Charities?Charities that offer help during the holiday season in North Dakota. Please post feedback about any charities you may know about.
South Dakota Christmas Charities?Charities that offer help during the holiday season in South Dakota. Please post feedback about any charities you may know about.
Virginia Christmas Charities?Charities that offer help during the holiday season in Virginia. Please post feedback about any charities you may know about.
New Mexico Christmas Charities?Charities that offer help during the holiday season in New Mexico. Please post feedback about any charities you may know about.
Alaska Christmas Charities?Charities that offer help during the holiday season in Alaska. Please post feedback about any charities you may know about.
Connecticut Christmas Charities?Charities that offer help during the holiday season in Connecticut. Please post feedback about any charities you may know about.
New Jersey Christmas Charities?Charities that offer help during the holiday season in New Jersey. Please post feedback about any charities you may know about.
Oklahoma Christmas Charities?Charities that offer help during the holiday season in Oklahoma. Please post feedback about any charities you may know about.
Rhode Island Christmas Charities?Charities that offer help during the holiday season in Rhode Island. Please post feedback about any charities you may know about.
Hawaii Christmas Charities?Charities that offer help during the holiday season in Hawaii. Please post feedback about any charities you may know about.
Illinois Christmas Charities?Charities that offer help during the holiday season in Illinois. Please post feedback about any charities you may know about.
Delaware Christmas Charities?Charities that offer help during the holiday season in Deleware. Please post feedback about any charities you may know about.
Idaho Christmas Charities?Charities that offer help during the holiday season in Idaho. Please post feedback about any charities you may know about.
Utah Christmas Charities?Charities that offer help during the holiday season in Utah. Please post feedback about any charities you may know about.
Montana Christmas Charities?Charities that offer help during the holiday season in Montana. Please post feedback about any charities you may know about.
Colorado Christmas CharitiesCharities that offer help during the holiday season in Colorado. Please post feedback about any charities you may know about.
Louisiana Christmas Charities?Charities that offer help during the holiday season in Louisiana. Please post feedback about any charities you may know about.
Wyoming Christmas Charities?Charities that offer help during the holiday season in Wyoming. Please post feedback about any charities you may know about.
Nebraska Christmas CharitiesCharities that offer help during the holiday season in Nebraska. Please post feedback about any charities you may know about.
North Carolina Christmas Charities?Charities that offer help during the holiday season in North Carolina. Please post feedback about any charities you may know about.
Oregon Christmas Charities?Charities that offer help during the holiday season in Oregon. Please post feedback about any charities you may know about.
Prize Ideas for a Fancy Christmas Party?I need some ideas for gifts at our Christmas fancy dress party. There will be a prize for best dressed male, best dressed female and best dressed couple. We have a reasonable amount to spend per prize so all ideas will be welcome. I'd prefer them to be unisex types of gift ideas if possible.
Decorating a Table for a Christmas Tea Party?I'm doing my very first christmas tea party for a small group, does anyone have ideas on how to decorate a table? I would like this to be special.
Not Going Into Debt for a Nice ChristmasWe have never made much money, so when shopping for the holidays, I check out thrift stores! I used to think that was a terrible thing to do, but you can find so many brand new things with the tags still on them...
Christmas Gift: Deer RepellentThis actually is a wonderful idea for children to make for family members. I don't know how many times I hear parents say to children, "It's lovely honey, Thank you...What is it?" I thought this up for my nephew who always want to make his dad a gift that he will use...
Using Your Skills and Talents to Make Extra Christmas MoneyIf you're a stay-at-home mom, use your skills and talents to make extra holiday spending money. The following are things I have done:
Saving Money by Decorating YourselfA friend recently told me they'd received a bid of over $1,000. to put up their Christmas lights, this year. To save money, she's decided to put up their own Christmas lights themselves....
Holiday Fun Get-TogethersHouse all "decked" for the holidays, and no one but family to share it with? May I suggest a few fun holidays get-togethers that don't have to break you up, but allow Mom's a night out with friends?
Homemade Christmas GiftsOne year I typed all the recipes I had used since my children were little, one recipe per page. I decorated each page to match the theme of the recipe with graphics and borders....
Chocolate Candy Cane CakeBake 50 minutes to 1 hour or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes on wire rack. Loosen cakes from side of pans with spatula or knife...
Cookie Gift Jar RecipesThis year is going to be very lean money wise. I have been collecting a lot of recipes this year and I am going to put them to good use for Christmas presents.
Christmas Card Cookies RecipeThese cute card shaped cookies are very colorful and delicious. They are fun cookies to make with your kids this Christmas.
Cream of Coconut CakeThis is probably the most luscious cake I've ever eaten
in my life, and my family has expected to see one on every Holiday table since I made the first one back in the 60's.
Christmas Gift Idea - Address LabelsIf you're stumped on what Christmas gift to buy for someone or you're running low on cash AND have a computer and printer...
Quick and Easy Christmas Cookies?Just wondering if anyone has any good quick and easy christmas cookie recipes? Let me know!
Crafted Christmas Ornaments BusinessAbout 30 years ago I needed to make some items for our school PTA fundraiser. I bought some wooden curtain rings and some little angels at a craft store and glued the angels into the rings.
Rock n' Roll Christmas Float Ideas?We are looking for ideas for a Christmas float with the theme of rock and roll Christmas.
Coat Hanger Christmas TreesHere is a link for instructions to make a cute coat hanger Christmas tree.
Having a Good Christmas Without Gifts?Christmas is caming and I don't have money to buy gifts for my kids and I know that all we need is our love. I just would like the kids to be happy so how can I make a good Christmas for my kids without gifts?
Coat Hanger Cloth WreathAre you looking for a way to tie in the colors in your room? Or do you just need to fill in a blank wall? Want a wreath to match your Christmas decorations? This project doesn't take a super creative person to complete. It's inexpensive, too.
Paper Chain for How Long Till ChristmasDuring the Thanksgiving weekend, have your kids make a paper chain with 25 links. This could be made from wrapping paper scraps or any other kind of paper...
Christmas Balls?I would like to know how to make the big Christmas balls, made from plastic cups and lights. I have seen them a few times and I think they are so cheery for the holiday. Any info on how to make them would be so much appreciated.
Cinnamon Roll Christmas TreeCenter one roll near the top of a large sprayed baking sheet. Arrange rolls in three more rows 1 inch apart, adding one roll to each row, forming a tree.
Kids Christmas Wish ListsEncourage your kids to make a wish list. Every time they see a toy they want on TV or in a magazine, remind them to add to the wish list. Emphasize that this is a WISH list - not a demand list.
Give Grocery Store Gift CertificatesOne of the best Christmas gifts we ever got was a gift certificate to a local grocery store. It was a time when things were particularly hard for us, money-wise, and considering our situation, was a very special gift...
Making Money at Christmas Time?What is a legitimate way for a creative mom to make extra christmas money? Lost job recently and have zero savings. I need real resources. Anything you can suggest would be greatfully appriciated.
Gift Ideas for a Future Pilot?My boyfriend and I have been dating for almost a year. We are both 16 and have a promising relationship. He is very hard to buy for and is interested in either becoming a pilot or joining the Air Force or Army.
Inexpensive Gifts for FriendsRunning short on time and money this weekend, I came up with a craft that I can make and give to many of the women in my life. It comes out beautifully and it is easy to do.
Make Your Own Gift Certificates for ChristmasMy tip is for a Christmas gift idea. Several years ago, I made up certificates for my granddaughter, then about 4 or 5, to give to everyone in the family.
Natural Outdoor Christmas Decorations?I am looking for some "natural" decorating ideas for the Christmas Holiday. I plan on using Magnolia leaves, pine bows and pine cones as interior decorations. What I would really like is some outside ideas that I can use. Particularly for my front door and back door as well as my mailbox.
Advertising a Holiday Food Drive?I'm a senior in high school and I'm also in an EAST program and my project is to host a holiday non-perishable food drive and I was wondering if anybody might have any tips on great advertising to get the word out?
Christmas BookIn essence, a handmade book covered in beautiful seasonal paper. This book provides a lovely place to record Christmas memories, lists, and recipes. It can be large or small, depending on your needs.
Clay Pot NativityThis is a fun Christmas project for you and your family. It creates a toy-like nativity that is both a conversation piece and family activity. The pieces can be as ornate or simple as you would like.
Gingerbread Teddy BearsPreheat oven to 350 degrees F. At low speed, beat flour, molasses, ginger and spice into dough. Roll into 1/4" thickness. Freeze on baking sheets until firm, 30 minutes. Slide dough onto surface. Coat same baking sheets with cooking spray; refridgerate...
Gas Gift CardsFor the teenage drivers on your gift list (or anyone else), this holiday season, giving gift cards or gift certificates for the local gas station would be welcomed greatly...
Reuse Tissue Paper and Gift BagsA few years ago my husband and I decided we were not wasting any more wrapping paper at Christmas time. It seems such a waste of money and natural resources to be throwing all that wrap out.
Macaroni (Pasta) Angel OrnamentsThese are a lot of fun to make. These are instructions for making macaroni angel Christmas ornaments. My mom Susan made these for all of her children and friends many years ago. Ornaments like these adorn our trees to this day.
Chocolate Nut WreathsTie licorice into bows; reserve. Line baking sheets with wax paper. Stir nuts into chocolate. Drop mixture by 1/4 cupfuls onto baking sheets...
Home for the Holidays: What To Do Before You Deck the HallsThe Holidays are here, and most of us are getting ready to deck the halls in one way or another. Before you pull out the tinsel and tree, take a couple hours to make some quick changes to update your rooms, and provide a great background for your Christmas and holiday trimmings.
The Spirit of Giving - Donating GiftsIf you stockpile toys and small gifts throughout the year for birthday parties or other gift-giving occasions, go through your stash and donate what you can to a charity...
Making Tinsel Balls?Does anyone remember throwing those cool "tinsel balls" on the Christmas tree as part of its decoration? I used to love those and you can't get those anymore. They're just round balls, and the tinsel sticks out all over them - I guess they look like koosh balls but made with tinsel.
Festive EnvelopesWhy let the card have all the glory? Using stamps and embossing powder to create elegant winter images, this craft makes the envelope enchanting too!
Little Stuffed Chair OrnamentsThese are little hand made stuffed chairs I am giving as ornaments. You may be able to see they open. One has a little teddy bear inside.
Making Economical Christmas Ornaments and CardsIn NYC, the .99 store is all the rage. For economical christmas ornaments and cards go to your local .99 store and buy any glass Christmas balls, sparkles, pipe cleaner and clear glue...
Festive Silver or Gold PumpkinsSounds crazy, but it looks great! Use your uncarved pumpkins from Halloween and spray paint them silver or gold. Add a plaid Christmas ribbon and voila, a masterpiece! People always stop and ask about mine.
Christmas Ornament Decorating IdeaTurn your favorite Christmas ornaments upside-down and place into the top of taper candle holders. By using candle holders of various heights, it makes for a beautiful mantle display or tabletop decoration...
Holiday Greens PlanterIn a terracotta pot ringed in ribbon, "plant" an attractive array of evergreens and berries found on a walk through the woods (or at your local florist) for a festive, frugal outdoor decoration to greet Christmas visitors at the door!
Overnight Eggnog French ToastCover with foil; refrigerate overnight or freeze up to one week. Heat oven to 500 degrees F. Remove bread slices from refrigerator or freezer (do not thaw); remove foil...
An Ornament for Every YearI buy the satin covered styrofoam balls and decorate them with beads, sequins, or whatever. I had already made this years, but just today he found out that he's going to be helping to film a FEMA documentary that will air either on HBO or PBS. His life dream is to work in TV. So I will gather my beads, pins and glue and try my darnedest to make a TV camera in the shape of beads on an ornament...
Stockpile Gifts Buy Ahead at After Holiday SalesI put the gifts in a box that I wrap in a netural gold, silver, blue or red shiny paper so when it is put in the storage area I can easily identify it throughout the next year. I label the boxes. For The childrens box I call it something like "The Treasure Chest" or "Treats for The Sweet"...
The Best Toys Stand the Test of TimeThe best toys do not necessaily need batteries-remember wood blocks, lots and lots of blank paper and a new set of crayons, lincoln logs, Tinker Toys? These have stood the test of time!
Christmas Gift Ideas for Teen Friends?I'm looking for some cute Christmas gift ideas for my friends. They are teens and im broke. Any cheap things that are still cute and meaningful would really help! Maybe even homemade?
Secret Santa Ideas?I am looking for ideas to use at work when people sign up to be a secret Santa. I have seen poems with ideas for each day of the exchange.
Christmas Gifts for Soldiers?I am looking for a place to find Christmas gift donations for my fellow soldiers.
Easy Gift BagsTake a 9x12 sheet of felt and cut it in half longways with decorative scissors. Then fold in half short ways. Sew 1/4 inch seam with machine or by hand or glue side openings only, to close.
Decorating Your Dining Chairs for the HolidaysBuy extra holiday placemats and sew two together on three sides. Place them over your dining room chairs for a matching decor this season....
Scrunchies for Decorative StemwareBuy holiday decorated hair scrunchies and place them around your stemware for a festive look.
Snoopy Kids and Christmas PresentsIf you have snoopy kids (or husband) who search and find the Christmas presents you've bought, wrap and code them i.e. a number, letter, color or symbol for each family member. Then store the whole lot over at a neighbor's house. You do the same for her!...
Mirrored Tiles for the TreeGlue mirrored tiles to ornament hangers or pieces of ribbon, then hang from your Christmas tree for a beautiful and sparkly look. You could get by with using less lights due to the reflection these tiles will produce.
Saving Money on Gifts for Extended FamilyThis year money is especially tight so I decided to challenge myself a little. I decided to try to spend $5 or less per person for our extended family...
Bouquet of StarsA handful of wooden stars painted gold or silver and twisted onto stems of wire to make a whimsical and unexpected bouquet for a vase.
Woodland LogThis is a lovely gem of a project that looks wonderful in a snowy window. Small birds, mushrooms, and other woodland creatures sit amongst dried moss on a small log to bring the forest into your home on a winter's eve! One of my favorites.
Making Punched Paper or Fabric Candle ShadesThe punched tin look for candle holders is very popular right now. Get that look with paper or fabric by using your sewing machine. Take a strip of whichever medium you wish to use and sew holiday designs onto it, "without thread"...
Wooden SnowflakesIntricate wooden snowflakes are painted white and hung on the tree with silver thread. An optional touch of glitter provides extra pizzazz for those who like their holidays to sparkle!
Making Ornaments and Napkin HoldersMy mother and I made our own holiday ornaments for the Christmas tree. We bought clear tree ornaments and different colors of craft paint. We put 1-3 colors in the bottom then twisted and twirled the bulbs so the paint covered the inside.
Filling the StockingsEach year I hang stockings for everyone in our immediate family (3 daughters, their spouses, and children, as well as my husband and me.) This year there will be 13 stockings! To save lots of time on Christmas Eve, I keep a large storage tub with plastic bags (13 this year)...
Organizing for the Holidays?I would love to have help in cleaning and organizing my home for the holidays. I would like to have it the feng shui way. I have two kids and it hard to get things done. I am sending a picture of my two kids.
Metallic LeavesMetallic paint adds glitz to pressed leaves that can be hung in a window or off an evergreen bough for the holidays.
Felt StockingA Christmas favorite to remind you of your childhood - a brightly colored, festive stocking that your kids are sure to love as much as you did.
Breaking the Code for PresentsTo keep the children out of the presents under the tree, my mother would make up a code for each person. She would put the code on the package instead of the name on the tag.
Decorating Cups for ChristmasUse a scarf off a Christmas themed stuffed animal to decorate mugs for holiday beverages.
A New Ornament Each YearEvery year since they were little I have given my girls a new Christmas ornament. We also have friends who have exchanged Christmas ornaments with the girls for years...
Homemade Gift Ideas and PackagingFor small gifts, hot chocolate mixes, coffee creamers, etc., take inexpensive felt sheets 8x11 and cut in half longways. You have two pieces 4x11. Sew or glue sides together (I sewed them), resulting in a bag that is 4x5 1/2.
Pine Cone CenterpieceIf you have pinecones in your yard or know where you can get them free, then this is the project for you. Use them to make an interesting and good smelling table decoration.
Ginger Bread House Recipe?I need a good recipe for ginger bread for a gingerbread house. A nice hard gingerbread, not soft and thick.
Heart Ornaments from Scrap FabricTake old scraps of quilting if you have some or your favorite fabrics and cut out a few hearts and sew up leaving a small place to stuff them and then whip stitch them shut. Then hot glue green and red antique or old buttons on them for extra charm.
Starlight's Christmas TraditionThis was a Christmas Tradition for years when the kids were young. I would turn my basement into a craft area, decorate it for Christmas with a tree, and then invite all of my sisters and brothers to drop their kids off from noon till 8 pm.
Saving Money on Gifts - Agree on LimitsOne year my sister and I decided not to spend a lot of money on each other. We chose 10 different categories (5 each) example: Warm and Fuzzy, old home place etc etc. We then had to purchase or make the items in each category and not spend over 5.00 for each item...
One Dollar GiftsWhen the Ladies come together just before Christmas, we each buy a gift for a $1.00 in The Dollar store. We have a gift exchange while we have our Christmas...
Pine Cone DecorationsWhat I really like to do is, collect pine cones. Then put them in a low oven, about 225 degrees F. for 15 minutes or so. Then I dip them in melted candle wax that was left over from candles I burned. I then sprinkle them with glitter...
Presents from the KidsI started a tradition 8 years ago for my son's first Christmas. Every year we make a Christmas gift for the grandparents and great-grandparents and aunts and uncles. The first year he was 9 months old and we made handprint pillows.
Dryer Vent Candy Cane?Does any body have the directions for a candy cane made out of a dryer vent. I saw it in a magazine and now can't find it.
Making Christmas Swags by Reusing ItemsThese are some swags I made for our porch where we keep our firewood. For each swag I took two branches from our old artificial Christmas tree. I laid them on top of each other, with one slightly higher.
Paper Pinecone OrnamentThis is a very lovely ornament and would make a great gift. It does take some time to cut, fold, and pin everything together, but the outcome is well worth the time spent.
Make A Tube for Storing Christmas LightsRoll up a thin section of newspaper to use as a tube to wrap your holiday lights around. They stay organized, compact, and it makes it easier to string lights right off the 'tube'.
Inviting People That Will Be AloneDo you know a single person, any age, who lives alone? Share the spirit of CHRISTMAS and invite them over for dinner. I live alone, have no family and would have loved to have been invited to someone's house for Thanksgiving.
