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Hands down, the single easiest way to improve a holiday meal is to add homemade cranberry sauce. Please don't make the mistake of associating this special treat with that jellied cranberry stuff that comes in a can. The two aren't even related. Real homemade cranberry sauce is to canned cranberry sauce what freshly sliced garden-grown tomatoes are to canned stewed tomatoes--they each claim to have some of the same stuff, but you would never make the mistake of pouring stewed tomatoes onto ... read more

Would you give a second hand gift for Christmas? Does the thought of thrift store Christmas shopping make you cringe?  It's kind of a controversial topic. Today in our series of 25 Days of Christmas Cheer on a Budget we'll talk about WHY you might consider doing some Christmas shopping at the thrift store and WHEN it's okay to give a second hand gift (and when it's not). We'll also talk about WHAT kinds of things to look for at the thrift store as a potential gift. If you ask around, ... read more

Want to simplify Christmas and make it more meaningful, while saving money at the same time?  Today we're going to talk about why you might seriously consider staying home with your immediate family for Christmas.  You might not be able to change your plans for this year, but as you're considering plans for future years, here are some great things to think about.  At the end we'll share some ideas to handle sensitive family situations. We're on day 19 of our Frugal Festivities series.  If you ... read more

If you've ever had trouble thinking of a gift for the people in your life, I have the perfect solution for you! In a society where excess is so prevalent, one of the biggest gift-giving worries is knowing what to give the person who already has everything they want or already has enough. It's not just seasoned adults that fit into this category.  While our parents might not want for anything, our children could also have plenty. There are even lists of ideas for people who "already have ... read more

When we're budgeting for Christmas, sometimes we forget to take into account the costs of wrapping. It may seem like a small cost, but like any small cost it can add up quickly. Welcome back to Frugal Festivities: 25 Days of Christmas Cheer on a Budget.  Today I'm going to share my top six tips for saving money on wrapping. But first I want to remind you that in January I'm hosting the Frugal Fresh Start Challenge!  Every weekday in January we'll be tackling a new way to be more frugal so ... read more

The Christmas season can feel busy and hectic with all of the parties, activities, and celebrations.  It can also feel expensive with all the gift giving, food preparation, and travel.  Here are some simple frugal Christmas traditions that your family will love and your budget will too! Welcome back to our Frugal Festivities series where we're sharing 25 days of Christmas Cheer on a Budget! Don't forget that in January, to start the new year off right, I'm hosting the Frugal Fresh Start ... read more

Gift giving for grandparents can get expensive, especially when you have a big family.  We talked about giving family gifts on Day 5 and Day 6 of this Frugal Festivities series, but today I want to share some additional ideas for meaningful gifts that grandmas and grandpas can give to their grandchildren that don't cost much, or cost nothing at all. Before I get started I want to remind you to sign up for January's Frugal Fresh Start Challenge.  Every weekday in January we'll be tackling a ... read more