Thursday, November 7, 2019

Festive Frugal Fun

It is 47 days until Christmas!!!!  Aaaaccckkkkk!  No I am not even close to being ready.  I just have not had the oomph needed this year to get busy with it.  It will come together, but I am not in the spirit.

We all have those groups of people that we need to get 'something' for.  I like the idea of keeping it light and fun.  No need to spend a lot of money and no need to be all serious and worried about the gift.  HAVE SOME FUN!
Maybe it is office gifts, maybe it is teacher gifts, mailman, bus driver, any kids group, book club, that group that gets together for cocktails, OR just a fun family exchange.  Many families don't really want/need to spend money on people who have everything - so do something simple and fun.

This is cute.  They are using Tootsie Pops as the reindeer noses.  You could use smaller or different types of lollipops and make snowmen, topper for a Christmas tree,   The center of a star or bell.  Use a little imaginations and have fun!
Scrabble ornaments.  Too cute.  Get a Scrabble game at the thrift store (it doesn't have to be complete) and use up those letters.  Hot glue together and add a cute little ribbon or twine on top for a hanger.
Toilet paper tubes can be turned into cute little Santa's or snowmen.  Fill with smaller pieces of wrapped candy, mini candy canes,  or mints
Old Christmas/holiday cards cut and used as jar toppers.  You can fill jars with hard wrapped candy or M&M's or Skittles or mini candy canes, etc.
A little cardboard and pieces of fabric and ribbon make a cut little 'book'.  Fill with snowman 'poop' Tic Tac packs.  Make up your own saying and use different flavors.

I love these.  Click on picture to enlarge to read.   These are fun and will be cute decorations in the bathroom until paper is needed!!!!!!!

Just a few fun and frugal ideas for the person who has everything!!!!  Each of the items here in these suggestions can be USED as well!  I love gag gifts!

Never forget about homemade cookies and candies as well.  Those cost a bit more, but make lovely gifts.  Just have fun and make someone laugh or smile this year.  No need to always be serious!

DO YOU HAVE ANY FUN IDEAS?




25 comments:

  1. These are all really cute ideas. I love the jar toppers!

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  2. Darling ideas. I remember years ago I had opened and closed a successful Nutcracker season. Of course flowers were arriving and I had bouquet after bouquet of flowers in a house that by all intents and purposes looked like a hoarder house. We had three bathrooms and no toilet paper. Since this is a small town the flower delivery service person was the same throughout the day. She could see my disheveled stress as I answered the door and kicked through the mess. She thought perhaps there was a death in the family. I told her no I had been on the road since Thanksgiving with 100 students and a Nutcracker, parents were sending their congratulations. I explained that my house was usually not this bad and although grateful for the flowers what I really needed was toilet paper. Well the word got out and toilet paper started to arrive. Every Nutcracker season from then out I received toilet paper. It was a community joke.

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    1. LOVE IT! It is the one thing we generally don't think of giving, but is oh so appreciated. One that you don't miss till it is gone!!!!!! LOL

      Such a cute story!

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    2. A few years ago a friend had a death in the family. It was so sudden and she was completely devestated. During a phone conversation I asked what I could do to help and she said she didn't know where to start. I went to the store to see if I could get something quick for lunch and came out with lunch, paper plates and cups, plastic silverware, TP, paper towels, and chocolate candies. She still tells what a lifesaver that was.

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    3. How kind and a lovely story. You really don't think of things when an emergency hits and having someone bring those needed items is a God send. Receiving them as a gift is wonderful too. Buy what is needed most!

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  3. Love the toilet paper! I just might use it! Christmas needs a little levity.

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    1. Cute huh? I got a roll like this one year as a gag gift and I have kept it in the linen closet until Christmas time every year. I then put it out. I know I always have at least one roll!

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  4. So cute! I think I will use the snowman poop and toilet paper ideas. I usually give my nephew something silly, so he will love these. :D The reindeer tootsie pops would have been so cute for the kids to give to classmates. Thanks for the ideas

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    1. YAY. I am glad folks are seeing something they might give. I just like making the season fun and light!
      You could always add one of these to a goodie basket

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  5. I'm starting my list of Christmas baking for friends and family. I'll wait until later in the month to actual do the baking and freeze it for a short time.

    I really like the toilet paper roll idea and the Scrabble ornaments as well. I'll have to check the thrift store to see if they have any games.

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    1. My Mom always started baking right after Thanksgiving and baked until Christmas. We had so many goodies tucked around the house!
      I would think game pieces from many games would be fun - especially if it is a game someone particularly likes to play.
      ENJOY

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  6. Great ideas! I am going to try making homemade Butterfinger candy this year. I found a recipe online that uses candycorn in it so I bought some on clearance after Halloween. We are also starting a new tradition this year of having a family s'more party around a bonfire (if weather permits) as part of our Christmas celebration.

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    1. Oh yum! That sounds good. What a neat new tradition. That will be fun. I love traditions and sometimes new ones are a lot of fun.

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  7. I'll never forget reading about a young married couple who WISHED their parents would give them a box of toilet paper, which they needed, instead of all these decorative items.. good ideas.

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    1. I love that! Sometimes those daily needs are the most important. Give what is needed.

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  8. Love these Cheryl! My kids thought I was crazy when I gave them a case of toilet paper for Christmas lol now they count on it to get them through the first few,months of the year ...last year our daughter was so excited to get hers because she had just ran out and didn't have $$to get more ...she had spent all her money on getting the kids a few things for Christmas. I am totally going to copy the toilet paper poem for a couple of family members who have a sense of humor ...it's going to be so much fun to see their reactions ...Thank you for sharing!

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    1. That is too cute. I know the younger ones that get goodie baskets each year all look forward to them. They get different foods to try and some favorites and it doesn't cost them a cent.
      I love that they look forward to that now. Good job to you!
      I love the little poem

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  9. I love the toilet paper one! I am doing this for my Bible Study gals. I was going to comment before on your article about being poor. Loved it, one of your best ever! Allow yourself some time for "a sad time" as my grrandaughter would say when she was little. She didnt know why but she just needed some sad time. You have had a tough year.

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    1. Oh how cute - your Bible study gals will surely get a laugh. Glad you found something to use!
      I think we all need some "sad time". Bless her heart. Yes, it has been a tough year for sure.
      Not sure what the future holds in store - I just keep moving forward a little at a time.

      Thank you for your sweet words about the POOR post. That means so much. Blessings.

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  10. Such cute ideas. I love the scrabble ornaments. My oldest made a family tree out of scrabble pieces. I have an old game that I got at a garage sale for 25¢. That will work perfectly.

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    1. The family tree sounds just adorable. What a neat idea.
      Hope you make some pretties! Thanks

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  11. I like the scrabble ornament idea! That might work for my Sunday School ladies.

    I like to bake, but it can ge a little pricy. I need to come up with a list I guess!

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    1. That would be a nice gift for Sunday School ladies. You could do their names or books of Bible, or even words of inspirations (faith, hope, pray, etc.)
      Baking can get pricey. I try to keep it to simple items and stock up on baking supplies when on sale. It is about that time!

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