RTR- Living the Good Life

[RTRChick]

Christmas is coming up. I've been looking for some frugal home made christmas idea, but just can't find anything special enough for DH's family. They are all obsessed with presents. Spending tons of money on each other then taking all year to pay off the credit cards. I feel like my little home made gift would disappoint them, when they spent a bunch of money on me.

I just don't see the need to go into debt buying gifts, when everyone in both of our families know that all of our money goes into buying necessities. I think Christmas is to celebrate Jesus not to go into debt buying stupid gifts. Although I guess if I had money I wouldn't care so much.

I guess I'm just whining, I just hate the commercialization of Christmas.

Oh and btw my dh must have seen my last post, because I came home the other day and the dishes were done, and laundry was folded, just waiting on me to put it away. He's a sweetie pie

 

[roosmom]

See, when you leave the computer on, conveniently to that post, it pays off.

DO NOT FEEL BAD FOR GIVING HOME MADE GIFTS.

those are made with love and that is all that matters.....its that you love them enough to give them a piece of you.

and if they say anything just send their names and address to me, pics would be helpful. lol

Dont feel bad.

 

[RTRChick]

lol roosmom, your right! If they don't like their presents, they can just smile anyways. and if DH don't like it, he can but them whatever he wants with his money.

Now I just gotta decide what to make and get on it! I'm thinking some yummy hot chocolate mix, and pancake mixes.

__________________________________________________________

 

[RTRChick]

alright.. sooo I'm down to 4 hours a week at my job. I begged them to just not lay me off, that I would work the absolute minimum as long as I got to stay with this company, that I would even take a pay cut, do janitorial work, whatever. So my managers love me and kept me around, in the same position at the same pay. So thats something to smile about.

I'm so sad, my cousins are putting my great aunts house on the market. I'd love to have it, but obviously now is not a good time to have a house payment to stress about. Even sadder, they had to get rid of her chickens. Mannnn I wanted those chickens too. Those were some awesome chickens.

So I'm finally off on a saturday, and there isn't even a bama game on. *sigh* Guess I'll get to go ahead and make some xmas gifts. I saw some CUTE CUTE CUTE coffee mugs at the thrift store and figured if I washed them, there wouldn't be anything wrong with using them... right?

 

[keljonma]

alright.. sooo I'm down to 4 hours a week at my job. I begged them to just not lay me off, that I would work the absolute minimum as long as I got to stay with this company, that I would even take a pay cut, do janitorial work, whatever. So my managers love me and kept me around, in the same position at the same pay. So thats something to smile about.

That is a blessing that they kept you on! I applied at K-Mart last year for Christmas hiring and they told me I was overqualified to be a cashier!

I'm so sad, my cousins are putting my great aunts house on the market. I'd love to have it, but obviously now is not a good time to have a house payment to stress about. Even sadder, they had to get rid of her chickens. Mannnn I wanted those chickens too. Those were some awesome chickens.

When my paternal grandmother passed away in the early 1970's, one of my cousins and I wanted to buy the houses and properties. But at the time, there was some silly law about not being able to own property if you were not a resident of the state and under 21 years of age. So, a developer put some town houses in the 3 lots my grandparents house was on and a 3 story apt building on the 2 lots that belonged to my great grandparents. How heartbreaking it was for me! In the early 1900's the entire street belonged to my great grandparents, then they sold lots to my great aunts, uncles, and grand parents for their homes. The last relative to live on the street died in the late 1980's I think.

Chickens are worse than heroin! ADDICTIVE! Sorry about the chickens. If you were closer, I could give you a few.

So I'm finally off on a saturday, and there isn't even a bama game on. *sigh* Guess I'll get to go ahead and make some xmas gifts. I saw some CUTE CUTE CUTE coffee mugs at the thrift store and figured if I washed them, there wouldn't be anything wrong with using them... right?

I buy mugs and glassware from the thrift shops, yard sales and dollar stores all the time. After a good washing, they will be fine! Just check them over really well before you purchase them to make sure there are no knicks, cracks or chips. You can make a homemade hot cocoa mix & mugs package, just like are sold in the stores. Get 4 mugs, your homemade hot cocoa mix, and package it up with some marshmallows, peppermint sticks, an inexpensive fleece blanket (at the dollar store for $5). Maybe with the blanket, you'll have spent $20.... so you could leave that out ... but I guarantee it will be nicer than the $20 hot cocoa set at the store. And it will be packaged with love, which money cannot purchase.

 

[roosmom]

I bought my daughter a glass wall hanging vase at goodwill. She loves it so much, she asked me to keep an eye out for another, LOL.
Nothing wrong with that at all. I have bought my kids real china at goodwill. They loved it. I try to get stuff they will actually use.

Keljonma has some good ideas.....like the hot cocoa set.

 

[FarmerChick]

Hey RTR
I hear ya on the commercialism of Christmas.
DO NOT feel bad giving the gifts YOU want to give. Homemade, or local purchased farm type gifts etc. are wonderful gifts. AND if anyone feels this isn't good enough gift, THEN that is their super problem, not yours. If someone places money value on gifts they receive from another, than I truly wouldn't ever let it worry me what "they thought"---cause that type of person is into "stuff" and "looks" and all.......don't ever go into debt at Christmas to impress anyone. If they are like that, give your nice gift and forget about it..LOL-LOL

best you didn't get the house. you didn't sound excited. you will find the best one for you....you will know it when you fall upon it..LOL

you sound good! that is all that matters. moving forward in your SS and you sound like you are finding your niche in life! sounding strong in your ways. that is a great thing!

 

[punkin]

Those are some great ideas from keljonma - using your imagination and not your pocketbook. I love to browse around our Goodwill.

UT finally won a game At least it was against Vandy.

Sorry you're not going to have a chance at the house. I'm sure something will come around soon.

Glad you're getting to stay with the same company. Even a little bit helps, especially at this time of year.

Hang in there.