Search Results for: blog holiday decorations swap

Sharing Holiday Laughs

Christmas is no fun when the laugh’s on you. Whether guests are giggling because your seasonal souffle took a nosedive on the kitchen floor or the dog dove into the Christmas Prime Rib before you got the chance to carve it, you never want the highlight of your holiday get-together to be a mishap. Instead of the laughs centering on an accident, let your guests make merry playing the following fun games with a seasonal twist: Gift Swap: This is not your traditional gift exchange with family members. Rather, the game features a candy bar (or other small item that … Continue reading →

Is it Time for Christmas Decorations?

My husband called me from the road the other day when he was out of town with work. He calls several times a day to keep in touch when he’s gone, but this was just a quick call to tell me that the house he was driving past was the second he had seen that day where the people had already decorated for Christmas. He noted that these were not just people trying to get a little jump on things or even people who fit the lyrics of Redneck Woman, where it talks about keeping Christmas lights up all year … Continue reading →

Simple Decorations for any Holiday or Occasion

Every inch of your home is beautifully decorated for each holiday or special occasion; well, almost very inch that is. Sometimes you just need an extra little touch here or there. There are some quick, simple ways to fix that dilemma. The first fix is making sure you always have extra candles around. When you see them on sale, grab some. It’s best to choose a neutral color so you can use them in any space and for any occasion. Then, just dress them up as needed. If you choose white or off white, you can simply wrap some festively … Continue reading →

5 Ways to Spend Less on Halloween

The cute costumes, the Martha Stewart decorations, the bags and bags of candy…the cost of it adds up. Just like the dark monster in the corner, you are afraid to take a good look at how much your are actually spending. Halloween has certainly become a big holiday. In fact, according to the National Retail Federation, Americans spent more than $8 billion last year celebrating. Eight billion! Seriously. It doesn’t have to be that way. Instead, brandish your own bag of tricks to spend less this Halloween. You’ll be able to make it a magical holiday and leave the bills … Continue reading →

How Not to Go Broke Celebrating Halloween

(All treat no trick) You don’t need to be a parent to know that celebrating Halloween is not cheap. These days dressing up as a naughty nun and gorging on 100 Grand bars can really set you back, and not just spiritually. The cost of costumes, candy, decorations and fillings for cavities caused by giving into your Laffy Taffy addiction is scary expensive. And, if you have multiple kids to costume and provide school treats for, the total cost of the holiday can be even more frightening. In 2011, Halloween surpassed Valentine’s Day as the second most expensive holiday celebrated … Continue reading →

The Day After Thanksgiving Part II

All of our Christmas treasures were packed neatly and carefully away last year with anticipation for the Christmas seasons to follow. Inside were coordinating red, green, and gold globes, snowflakes, and bird ornaments; along with strings of lights, festive garlands, personalized stockings, gift boxes, wrapping paper, ribbon, and stocking holders. Given our new and different space and layout, the decorating will require some creative ingenuity. Without a fireplace and mantel, we will have to find a different location to hang the stockings and the garland. Our living room is much smaller so we were mindful not to get a tree … Continue reading →

Have a Merry Cheap Christmas

Who says “cheap” is a bad thing? Just because you are trying to avoid a holiday debt hangover doesn’t mean you have to look like Ebenezer Scrooge in the process. There are a myriad of ways you can make merry this Christmas season without breaking the bank. Some frugal ideas include: Hooray for Homemade: Use your vast array of talents to make gifts to give this holiday season rather than draining your wallet at the mall. Whether you knit, bake, paint, sew, or you’re a whiz at woodworking, there are plenty of presents you can make that are creative, thoughtful, … Continue reading →

Frugal Memorial Day Ideas

Let’s take a little break from Paperback Swap to talk about fun weekend plans. Are you ready to celebrate Memorial Day? Face it, food is getting expensive, but you can still have a great BBQ or other fun time to celebrate without spending a fortune! Here are some ideas. Take advantage of local celebrations. Just doing a little bit of research in my area, I’ve located three Memorial Day parades, two free carnivals, a free cook out for town residents, two Memorial Day events at veterans cemeteries, and numerous pancake breakfasts. There are also other celebrations, such as a children’s … Continue reading →

Nine Days ‘til Christmas

It’s getting close. It’s time to put the final touches on your holiday decorations, so if you could still use a few last minute decorating ideas for Christmas, I’m with you. I was thinking the same thing, so I started trying to come up with some that would be quick and easy but at the same time, would look nice. Frame it You have probably heard of wrapping a picture frame with wrapping paper to make it look like a gift, but this is a little different. Instead of wrapping the frame, place a piece of pretty wrapping paper inside … Continue reading →

Christmas Tree Decorating Tips, Part II

Once you have your Christmas lights and garland in place, begin fluffing and arranging the boughs on the Christmas tree. This is especially important if you have an artificial tree, because branches can become bent and look less realistic. Once the tree is appropriately shaped, you can begin adding ornaments. Sort through your ornaments and set aside any that need hooks. It is always a good idea to have extra hooks on hand for ornaments or for use with creative decorations. Check for cracks and scratches on glass or ceramic ornaments. Throw away any that are not in good shape … Continue reading →