Holidays on a Budget: Green and Frugal Wrappings

Sometimes being frugal also means being green. When wrapping gifts this year, why not consider these eco and budget friendly ideas?

• Newspapers. The old stand by. Black and white pages are chic, and comics are cute. 
• Maps. A great bonus if you use this colorful idea on a gift for someone you've traveled with. Those free maps at state welcome centers are great for this. 
• Scarves. Look in thrift stores and sales racks for a wrapping that will give twice.
• Tote bags. They're totally cute and fashionable now-a-days, and the recipient gets a double-gift.
• Paper bags. Unfold and use as-is, or get creative. The paper is a great canvas for stamps, paints, or even ink drawings. 
• Fabric. Same idea and wrapping style as the scarves, and thrift stores often have piles of it. What a cute way to wrap a gift for the crafter or seamstress in your life.

Read More

Holidays on a Budget: The Perfect Salt Dough

Salt dough ornaments are great not only from a frugal standpoint, but they are a great activity for the kids.
There are many salt dough recipes out there, but this simple one, with no "weird" stuff added works wonders. The secret to a nice, smooth dough is remembering to knead it. Just because it isn't a dough you will be eating, many people overlook this step.

Mix together:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup table salt
• 1 cup (give or take a bit as needed) water

Knead until smooth an pliable. Cover and let sit for at least 10 minutes or until ready to use.

Roll to about 1/4th of an inch thick and cut with cookie cutters.

 

Bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a 200 degree oven (lowest setting) for a few hours or until dry. 

Paint, let dry, and glue hangers to the back.

Read More

Holidays on a Budget: Holiday Card Holder

Here is a simple wreath for displaying your holiday cards. You only need a few items to make it, and it makes a great busy project for an older kid.

Begin with cutting an eleven-inch circle from some sturdy cardboard. You will also need a five-inch hole out of the center.

 

Next, cover this in some wrapping paper. Be sure to cut slits or notches in around the edges of the paper so it will cover the curves nicely.

Next, you can paint your clothespins, or cover them with the same paper. A coordinating paper would be nice too. To cover the pins cleanly, apply your glue, and press to the backside of your paper. You'll want to use a piece of paper bigger than your clothespins, and let them dry thoroughly before trimming the paper down. You can also coat with some Modge-Podge or similar coating for protection.

 Arrange your 12 clothespins around your wreath. Secure with hot glue. You can also add some ribbon to the center to make it more wreath-like. (We did...) By the time your pins are filled with cards around the outer edge, the ribbon in the middle will be a nice touch.

Read More