Frugal Creativity

So the theme for our Christmas this year is Frugal Creativity. I am certain that I am not the only one here at WA who is ... shall we say ... income challenged? Though I know that this is a temporary condition ... and we are all here working hard to improve that situation ... it doesn't do anything for the reality of "right now"!

I am sharing some of my "Frugal Tips" for a Happy Holiday with you ...

No new ornaments, decorations, or decore ... recycle what you have already and refresh with some creative alternatives. Check out my tree ... a sofa throw for a tree skirt ... some fabric/pillow trim I already had for garland ... and some decorative birds I had on an old wreath make my "Partridge" for my tree!

And the tree top...

I also decorated the top of the TV cabinet ... since that is where we sit and look in the evening ...

If you creatively use what you already have ... you can get a whole new "look" for a whole lot of nothing ... and it's fun and gets you in the spirit!

Our Family gathering will be here, at our home, next Saturday. We exchanged names so we each only have 1 gift to purchase or create ... except for the children of course. We have only got 2 grandchildren, 1 niece and 1 nephew that are still "children". They will each be getting a new Christmas stocking (I made them), a "Melted Snowman", (I created from Robert's idea), and new Christmas Pajama's for a pre-Christmas slumber party. Fun will be had by all ... game playing, special treats, bedtime movies, and plenty of memory making.

I did not buy any new wrapping paper, gift bags, or tags. I used "recycled" gift bags from last year, the ends of paper rolls from previous years ... and I cut out my own tags from construction paper.

Dinner for the event will be pot-luck. Each family is bringing an appetizer, a dish to pass, a dessert, and their own favorite drink. I pulled together some decorations and candles and added some ribbon to make a centerpiece for the table. After dinner, the children will open their gifts, the adults will exchange our gift, and then the games will begin.

I made a snowman board - 2 ft tall - it has three holes in it ... a large, a medium, and a small ... each hole is worth points depending on size. I have five little fluffy "snowballs" ... from 10 feet away - you throw the "snowballs" and try to get them through the holes! You earn points for getting them through. The smaller the hole ... the bigger the points.

And we have Christmas Bingo ... instead of numbers, you work with words that make up Christmas ... like: Santa, Elves, Stockings, Eggnog, Mistletoe, Wreath, Baby Jesus, Wisemen ... and so on. Winners get a grab bag full of home baked treats.

I would love it if you would share some of your own "Frugal Creativity" ideas. That is the greatest thing about this community ... the sharing ... learning about life, living, and the traditions of others! Leave your ideas, suggestions, and comments below!

Happy "Frugal Creative" Holidays to each and every one of you! Love, M