I did finish taking down and packing away the season of orange. But decorating for Christmas will have to wait until the weekend. All the boxes are out in Duchess and most are too heavy for me to bring in.
On second thought, I may be able to bring in the glass balls because that container is very light. One problem...we haven't figured out where to place the tree yet! Maybe I can figure that out today.
I have a big basket of pears that need to be taken care of...I think I will make pear butter. It's easy to make and I like it better than canned pears. And dinner today will be a pasty with ground beef, potatoes, carrots and corn. I froze the leftovers from Thanksgiving to use later...a soup sounds good.
Remember this...
Well, I finished decorating it as a school. Check this out...
I used markers to color the door and windows which are made of pieces of light weight cardboard and glued on. I used a stamp pad to add the distress marks on the building. You can easily use either a dark marker or crayon. You can use a crayon to color the windows and doors also.
I also made some trees from the flap of a cardboard box by cutting them out as shown...
And then either painting or coloring...
I plan on making several more trees in different sizes. Looks like our winter village is coming along.
It's time to make some decisions about the holiday(s) you are celebrating. Do you need gifts? Maybe this is the year you can pare down your list of folks to whom you give gifts. Sending a card and a hand written letter may be appreciated even more than gifts. You can even make the greeting card yourself, matching it to the receiver. If you don't have time for that, though, many stores carry inexpensive greeting cards ($1 to $1.50)
Take a look at the list of folks to whom you want to give gifts. First place to go is a thrift store to see what's available. Check out the toys for children. If you are looking at puzzles or games, make sure all the pieces are contained in the box.
Look also at toys that can be cleaned up, repaired, painted or added to like dolls...use your sewing skills to make blankets and clothes. I have seen Hot Wheels race tracks many times. You can always add a race car or two inexpensively from discount stores.
New crayons and coloring/activity books are always a hit with younger children. Again, these can be purchased inexpensively discount stores. Books also.
Adults...a mug in new condition from the thrift store paired with inexpensive individual tea or coffee bags. And you can always find a decoration that matches the holiday.
Nothing at the thrift stores? (By the way, you need to visit thrift stores often as they put out donated items regularly throughout the day.) Check out the discount stores in your area for new items at extreme discount prices.
And don't overlook shopping at the grocery store. Find a nice bowl or pan from the thrift store, inexpensive utensils like measuring spoons and whisks from a discount store, and a baking mix from the grocery store. That's thinking outside the box.
Or find a basket in new condition at the thrift store and add spa items from a discount store. Much cheaper that purchasing a pre-made box of spa items.
Something I was always taught was that 'It was the thought that counted, not the price of a gift'. So consider that when you are shopping for gifts. You do not have to purchase the most expensive item. Some of the best gifts are inexpensive ones that match the gift with the receiver.
So today spend time on your list of folks to whom you give gifts, jot down some ideas for each person/child. Check your budget and promise yourself to not go into debt to purchase gifts.
That's all for now...stay safe and keep warm...
Talk with you tomorrow...