tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post7116652819357477087..comments2024-03-18T18:45:59.168-07:00Comments on Home Living: Dreaming of a Cheap ChristmasLydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15530969871397361970noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-89158359205104661702008-12-20T13:15:00.000-08:002008-12-20T13:15:00.000-08:00Dearest Lydia,Just a quic, note, for book covers, ...Dearest Lydia,<BR/><BR/>Just a quic, note, for book covers, mum used to use cloth remnants; very effective and very nice - over the cardboard or paper. From memory, I think she used simple craft (or was it fabric) glue? It didn't make the cloth nasty and hard, tacky or plastickie either. Just a thought for something different......you may need to experiment with different adhesives to achieve Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-13440472885677368492008-12-19T13:17:00.001-08:002008-12-19T13:17:00.001-08:00We have always been very frugal with our Christmas...We have always been very frugal with our Christmases. The children get a small gift (this year they wanted bicycles, but it was out of the question - then someone had two used bicycles they were willing to sell for $25 for both - so this will be the Year of the Bicycle! :-) But we have always regarded it as a holiday for the children as far as gifts are concerned. They each receive one gift, Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-77065867902223076172008-12-19T13:17:00.000-08:002008-12-19T13:17:00.000-08:00We have always been very frugal with our Christmas...We have always been very frugal with our Christmases. The children get a small gift (this year they wanted bicycles, but it was out of the question - then someone had two used bicycles they were willing to sell for $25 for both - so this will be the Year of the Bicycle! :-) But we have always regarded it as a holiday for the children as far as gifts are concerned. They each receive one gift, Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-74605398352471037472008-12-19T09:07:00.000-08:002008-12-19T09:07:00.000-08:00This is an interesting year for us, as we are tryi...This is an interesting year for us, as we are trying to encourage everyone to make something of paper to give. I am "into" paper books, and my favorite paper type is construction paper. It is more flexible and it can be easily torn on the edges. Someone gave a tip about torn construction paper dipped in water, and I've completely lost the post. If they would be so kind as to repeat that, I'd be Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15530969871397361970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-61995534859901361242008-12-19T08:51:00.000-08:002008-12-19T08:51:00.000-08:00Deirdra, I clicked on your name and I see you wer...Deirdra, I clicked on your name and I see you were able to visit with the president of Ireland!Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15530969871397361970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-977520581464966682008-12-19T05:57:00.000-08:002008-12-19T05:57:00.000-08:00I just LOVE that shoe pattern!I just LOVE that shoe pattern!KTHunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00213755743092921221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-23224285754862547052008-12-18T23:48:00.000-08:002008-12-18T23:48:00.000-08:00It is all ways nice to come and visit you....such ...It is all ways nice to come and visit you....such sweet idea's. <BR/>I have many snowy photo's posted on my blog...please come and see.<BR/>Snowflake Christmas Blessings,<BR/>DeirdraDeirdra Doanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13432420824463446865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-16719480832489856342008-12-18T23:38:00.000-08:002008-12-18T23:38:00.000-08:00Very lovely ideas and a wonderful post!CandyVery lovely ideas and a wonderful post!<BR/><BR/>Candycandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15788894816760003783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-24615378199248788312008-12-18T15:31:00.000-08:002008-12-18T15:31:00.000-08:00We would put any pieces of jewlery we might have o...We would put any pieces of jewlery we might have on the tree and cut out the pictures of past or new Christmas cards and pin them to the tree. Almost any little thing like pine cones [glittered or not} can have a string on them and hung. If we have any, we nestle little bird nests in the branches. Paper chains and pop corn on a string are always fun for the kids to do. Now that mine are grownAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-73775745604279566782008-12-18T10:19:00.000-08:002008-12-18T10:19:00.000-08:00I meant stashing away goodies from yard sales and ...I meant stashing away goodies from yard sales and dollar stores throughout the year, is a great idea. Making soaps and candles is also fun, but time consuming if you wait too long. My attitude is that it is a privilege just to get up in the morning, still alive, and enjoy life. That's a great gift, and if I am able to make or buy gifts, its a bonus.Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15530969871397361970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-39872500107475018672008-12-18T10:18:00.000-08:002008-12-18T10:18:00.000-08:00No one needs gifts, and even hand making them can ...No one needs gifts, and even hand making them can bring on more burden to a homemaker. If we just had the splendor and atmosphere of the season without the stress of a gift list or a card list, we would be better off. Sashing away things throughout the year is a good idea. I am afraid I haven't had any gifts for the last 10 years. It was all I could do to put a good meal on the table. As you Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15530969871397361970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-32629776414899928622008-12-18T09:40:00.000-08:002008-12-18T09:40:00.000-08:00You are very right as always Lydia!I am going to h...You are very right as always Lydia!<BR/><BR/>I am going to have to be more forthright next year and tell people I don't want to exchange anymore or participate in various grab bags and such.<BR/><BR/>And yes, pare down my card list to the most important people. Or perhaps make some and at least it will be something fun for the children to help with, instead of feeling only like an obligation.<BR/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-64073377670665980982008-12-18T08:05:00.000-08:002008-12-18T08:05:00.000-08:00WOnderful ideas..this year I watched thrift stores...WOnderful ideas..this year I watched thrift stores and yard sales all year long and got some WONDERFUL treasures for friends and family...one year we did all our shopping at a Thrift Store...our kids were young and didn't even know the difference...<BR/>My heart hurts for those who have lost so much this past year, due to no fault of their own....<BR/>Help out a family..it doesn't need to be much~~Debyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03288057520112643825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-13406457635135071982008-12-17T13:42:00.000-08:002008-12-17T13:42:00.000-08:00The Salvation Army has HUGE toy drives this time o...The Salvation Army has HUGE toy drives this time of year to collect toys for needy families. They collect everything from action figures to Ipods.<BR/><BR/>I wonder if maybe they shouldn't just focus on collecting food and clothes. Certainly most parents have $5 to buy a little toy or book for their children. If they don't or they are foster children, then maybe the Salvation Army could provide aLaura Ashleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07366548098069504653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-8876578939088337512008-12-17T12:44:00.000-08:002008-12-17T12:44:00.000-08:00Those are some wise words about not feeling pressu...Those are some wise words about not feeling pressured to keep up with either the holiday rush or the commercialism of it.Mimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13429722263321739095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-17545220029357845862008-12-17T08:11:00.000-08:002008-12-17T08:11:00.000-08:00When I was in middle school, my brothers cleaned o...When I was in middle school, my brothers cleaned out the basement and accidentally threw away most of the Christmas ornaments. We did not have money to buy new ones, so I used old Christmas cards and construction paper to make new ones. It was a lot of fun. I always looked forward as a child to making paper chains.<BR/><BR/>I also noticed from a family's photographs once that they used just Aelwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13883776541084645202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-53941864730877692432008-12-17T08:06:00.000-08:002008-12-17T08:06:00.000-08:00Ann,In my opinion, you do not have to send cards. ...Ann,<BR/><BR/>In my opinion, you do not have to send cards. One lady I know buys just two or three really great cards (not boxed cards) for three special people, and does not send out thirty.<BR/><BR/>As for gifts, my opinion is this: everyone has a birthday, and that is their special day when they can receive gifts. On Christmas it makes no sense to get a gift for each person and put everyone, Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15530969871397361970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-2661728379763028822008-12-17T08:01:00.000-08:002008-12-17T08:01:00.000-08:00Laura: yes, greenery from the trees and bushes ou...Laura: yes, greenery from the trees and bushes outside are the best choice because you do not have to store them in an attic or a box somewhere. This year I lost several boxes of things, including an artificial tree, because I couldn't find them. I can't remember where they were put. Also, the paper ornaments can be thrown away and no storage, if a person was not in a permanent type situation (Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15530969871397361970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-79823580619084281492008-12-17T07:56:00.000-08:002008-12-17T07:56:00.000-08:00Thank you. My family is seeking to return to the ...Thank you. My family is seeking to return to the simplicity of the celebration. My children are making many of their gifts to us and each other, and friends as well. My husband and I give each other rather useful things (such as a wheat mill) that keep on giving.<BR/><BR/>We have about given up finding just the right gift for our parents and grandparenst and have begun giving a donation to a Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-64539283383347767192008-12-17T07:24:00.000-08:002008-12-17T07:24:00.000-08:00This post reminded me of my childhood Christmases....This post reminded me of my childhood Christmases. We always got new socks, gloves/mittens, and usually some new flannel pj's or a nightie. There was always a new package of Play-Dough and a new box of crayons. Whenever I smell either of those items, it takes me back...We always had an orange in the toe of our stocking, some nuts, a candy cane, and a few small toys. <BR/><BR/>You will never Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-20434693702751374632008-12-17T06:55:00.000-08:002008-12-17T06:55:00.000-08:00Thank you for this post. I am feeling very stresse...Thank you for this post. I am feeling very stressed right now about Christmas preparations. For me, all that matters is that we make it to Mass, as that is our obligation as Catholics. <BR/><BR/>However, I am feeling outside stresses, and I am not proud of this. A friend insists on buying my children gifts, so I feel like I have to go buy them gifts. We do this grab bag among the grandchildren, Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-39395137232663986712008-12-17T02:13:00.000-08:002008-12-17T02:13:00.000-08:00dearest Lydia,this brings back memories!! as a ch...dearest Lydia,<BR/><BR/>this brings back memories!! as a child, we had next to nothing; Mum was a single parent raising my brother and I; many lean years; for quite a few, we didn't have a tree; mum got her hands on a eucalypt bough; fairly fine with many more fine branches off of it, painted it white, and made baubles; got hold of polystireen balls, covered them in material and wound strings Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-86132181790543943062008-12-16T20:58:00.000-08:002008-12-16T20:58:00.000-08:00I'll bet you are a wonderful hostess, Mrs. Sherman...I'll bet you are a wonderful hostess, Mrs. Sherman. And I love your suggestions on how to bring a little more sanity to this blessed Season. I just love making gifts for people. I do purchase things too, but thinking out of the box a bit gives me so much satisfaction.<BR/><BR/>BrendaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-3885131506516288142008-12-16T20:34:00.000-08:002008-12-16T20:34:00.000-08:00Thanks so much for this--what a great reminder to ...Thanks so much for this--what a great reminder to think creatively in making gifts for others. I've done this for a couple years now and it is so special to me as well as the recipients. I love your blog--you're listed as one of my favorites on mine.:)Theo-Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10878970592263471629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-48624044203441139912008-12-16T19:50:00.000-08:002008-12-16T19:50:00.000-08:00This yr we did a home made Christmas. We picked n...This yr we did a home made Christmas. We picked names last yr. <BR/>It is the most stress free Christmas I have had. All we had to do is get supplies. I bought yarn for a blanket and some flowers for a jar lamp. DH got wood for free from work to make his gift and ds to make his. It has been fun. Dh finds it hard to find time but he has managed. <BR/>I have made the gkids things too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com