A Merry Frugal Christmas #1

 Here are a few of my favorite brands that I use for gift giving:

1. North Spore mushrooms - from mushroom growing kits to Christmas ornaments North Spore has proven to be a reliable source of all things mushroom related.  They are featuring 30% off some items for Black Friday and you can use my coupon code, FRUGALMENNONITE for 10% off.

2.  If you don’t want to spend $90 for an Apple watch band, then I suggest buying your watch bands from Solace Bands.  They are offering buy two bands, get two free for Black Friday.

3.  Every year I gift my husband two sun protection shirts from Coolibar.  They last for years and they are offering 50% off everything for Black Friday.

4.  I use Bombas socks and underwear for stocking stuffers.  Long lasting, high quality and they donate an equal amount of product to charity for each purchase.  For Black Friday they are offering 25% off.

More Frugal Christmas ideas will be coming your way tomorrow.

God bless,

Pam

Frugal Christmas Gifts 2023 #3

 Due to a stomach bug I have fallen behind on the Christmas posts.  Since there are only four days left until Christmas it’s time to talk about gift cards.

True Leaf Market 

One of my favorite gardening supply stores True Leaf Market carries a variety of seeds, including seeds from Kitazawa seed company.  If you like Asian vegetables and herbs they have the best.  Use coupon code TLMGIFTS15 to receive 15% off.

Cato Corner Farm

I love cheese and come from a family obsessed with great cheese.  Cato Corner Farm is owned by relatives of my sister in law and I have been fortunate to have been gifted their cheese regularly.  They have the best blue cheese I have ever had.  Blue cheese on crackers, drizzled with a sweet tamarind sauce is amazing.

Burlap and Barrel 

Burlap and Barrel carries ethically sourced, small batch and very fresh spices.  I’ve been using their products for a long time and they truly uplift recipes to a new level.  I asked for their monthly spice club as my gift this year.

Northspore Mushrooms 

Northspore carries everything needed for home mushroom growing.  I have been fortunate to have a partnership with the company and I think any gardener who wants to take their food production to the next level will enjoy receiving a gift certificate from them.   Use the coupon code FRUGALMENNONITE for 10% off your purchase.

God bless and Happy Holidays,

Pam

Frugal Christmas Gifts 2023 #2

 If you have someone in your life that loves salad greens, misses their garden in the winter, or a child that wants to try gardening, the True Leaf Market mini micro green growing kits will make a thoughtful gift.  Plus they are so reasonably priced that you can gift several varieties at a time.

In fact, this is my go to gift this Holiday season.  

One of my favorite meals is a seafood salad sprinkled with spicy radish sprouts.  Just the right amount of spice and crunch.

Use the coupon code TLMGIFTS15 for 15% off your purchase.

God bless,

Pam

Frugal Christmas Gifts 2023 #1

 If you have a forager on your list or someone that wants to know more about wild plants, I highly recommend Eat The Weeds by  Deane Jordan.  

One of the things that I really love is that nutritional information is included, plus excellent photos and descriptions.

God bless,

Pam

Frugal Christmas Gifts: Meal Planner

 I am the first to admit that planning meals can be a challenge for me.  I never know if I will feel well enough (rheumatoid arthritis) to cook a full meal.  We keep certain staples in our kitchen for simple meals in case I am not well.

A meal planner is a great tool and I especially like one that doesn’t lock me into a certain date, but can be utilized whenever we need it during the week.

My husband does most of the grocery shopping, so the accompanying grocery list is a must.

Good for young people just starting out or us older folks learning to adjust to new challenges.

God bless,

Pam

Frugal Christmas Gifts: Japanese Hand Hoe

 From now on I’m going to recommend gifts that you can get quickly, usually from Amazon.

This hand hoe is, by far, my favorite gardening tool.  I use it every day and it only requires occasional sharpening and oiling for maintenance.

It is lightweight and sturdy.  And since I usually garden sitting, due to my arthritis, this length of handle works well for me.  Your favorite gardener will thank you.

God bless,

Pam

Frugal Christmas Gifts: Mushroom Kits

 As you can tell from recent posts I have been exploring growing mushrooms at home.  It’s a great deal of fun and I think it would be a great gift for the gardener in your life or as an learning experience for children.

There are many different mushroom spawn suppliers online, but experienced mushroom growers I know recommended Northspore and I have been very happy with them.  We have enjoyed eating mushrooms that aren’t available in our local grocery stores.  I’ve especially enjoyed making recipes with lions mane mushrooms; they are an excellent replacement for crabmeat.

In their Christmas gift section of the Northspore website are Spray and Grow Kits for beginners, Spray and Grow Kits with an accompanying children's book and some very cute mushroom Christmas ornaments.

I was given a coupon code by Northspore to share with you:  FRUGALMENNONITE

God bless,

Pam

Frugal Christmas Gifts: Loops Earplugs

 If you have someone in your life with a sensitivity to sounds these earplugs are an attractive, affordable, and effective option.  They come in different colors and strengths; from high noise blocking for sleep to partial noise blocking for everyday activities.

Loops come in a variety of colors and they look like jewelry, not earplugs, so you won’t be hesitant to wear them in public.

I have misophonia and it can negatively affect my ability to enjoy myself if my trigger noises are present.  But I have been able to handle my misophonia much better since I have purchased these earplugs.  Loops come with several different sized ear plugs and a small carrying case.  Right now they are having a buy three get one free sale.

God bless,

Pam

Frugal Christmas Gifts #2

Sometimes it's fun and a bit more memorable to put a few of your favorite things together for a gift.  How about a cute little (or not so little) Totoro mug, silicone lid (keeps your drink hot) and some honey ginger crystals.

Sooo cute!

God bless,
Pam

Frugal Christmas Gifts

Three Christmas gift ideas in one post!

I love to buy gifts from Etsy.   It's nice to support a small business and everything I've purchased has been unique, handmade and creative.  I recently purchased the garnet and silver ring from Stamey Creek Creations which is located in North Carolina by the John C. Campbell Folk School.  The young woman that owns the store has attended classes at the school all of her life and has recently started working in sterling silver.

On my nails in the photo (yes, I'm a Mennonite that wears nail polish) is Zoya nail polish, which is free of the five bad chemicals often found in nail polish.  Zoya has been having the Twelve Days of Christmas with a new sale every day.

Yankee Candles has some very nice Christmas scents.  I usually order from the Yankee Candle online store, which has personalized candles and their large candles are two for $36 right now.  They also have some cute Christmas themed decorations.  I like to keep a couple of the small jar candles on hand for last minute gifts.

I also picked up some food bags at the dollar store for my homemade granola.  It makes a nice hostess gift and is a quick Christmas morning breakfast when served over yogurt.

Have fun!

God bless,
Pam

Homemade Bath Salts

This is another frugal Christmas gift idea.  Today I was given some fresh rosemary and I decided to make an invigorating herbal bath salt.

Find a decorative jar (found mine at Target), fresh herbs, essential oil (optional), vitamin E oil (could also use almond oil, olive oil or jojoba oil) and epsom salts.

Basic Ingredients

Place a cup of epsom salts in jar or bowl.  Finely chop your herbs to release their essential oils.  Today I am using rosemary which some people are sensitive to, so I recommend testing this herb on your inner elbow to make sure it won't irritate your skin.

Mix the chopped herb into the epsom salts.

This mixture smelled nice and strong to me so I chose to not add the essential oil.  If it is not fragrant then I would add 10-20 drops of essential oil.  Since I did not add essential oil I decided to add a heaping teaspoon of vitamin E oil.

Stir and stir again until the oil is mixed throughout the salt.  It will all come together, just keep working at it.  At this point it is ready to use as a bath salt.  If you want to turn it into a salt scrub add more oil (olive, almond or jojoba) until it reaches a scrub consistency.

I like to add a pretty shell collected off of our local beach to use as a scoop.

The lid of the jar can be labeled and decorated if you wish.  Get creative and enjoy!

God bless,
Pam

Frugal Christmas Crafts: Hand Made Silhouette Plates

Recently Tipper at Blind Pig and the Acorn showed some striking decorative plates she had painted of crow silhouettes.  I decided to translate this craft to a Christmas craft.

You need two things:  white plates from the thrift store and Martha Stewarts paint.  I like the MS paint because it is only $1.99 and can be painted on many surfaces, including glass and porcelain.

Print Christmas silhouettes off the internet by Googling for Christmas Silhouettes.  Print on card stock, then cut out.

My Favorite Silhouette

Trace the silhouette onto a plate using a sharpie marker.  If you can, use a sharpie that matches your paint color.

Three Simple Templates

Paint the outline of the silhouette, then fill in the center.  With the metallic paints you will probably need several layers.

Let cure for several days.  Then they are ready to decorate your home on plate holders or hangers.  Have fun!

God bless,
Pam

My Week As An Elf

I had the pleasure this week to spend three mornings working as a shopping elf at my daughter's school.  Each year the school has a holiday store where the children can shop for family and friends and have the gifts wrapped.  This costs a minimal amount due to some smart elf shopping.  The children enjoy themselves and are proud to have gifts for their family.

Well, this middle aged elf was pooped at the end of each morning.  My respect for elves everywhere and, especially, the school's elves is high.  Thank you.

In the evening the elves search local stores for reasonably priced gifts to restock the store.  I found some wonderful gifts at Walgreens in the cosmetics area.  They have small gift sets, holiday soaps, nail polish and lip gloss on sale.  Some of these are not advertised specials, so ask the cosmetics counter employee to point them out to you.

Unfortunately, men are being short changed when it comes to inexpensive gifts.  It is always hard to fill my DH's stocking and this year is one of the worst.  Keep your eye out for discounted itunes cards where you are given a store gift card for buying the itunes card.  Earbuds are always needing to be replaced.  A small LED flashlight is useful in the car (I keep them around the house in case the electric goes off).  The Flylady has the Hey Tom car duster, which is a great, water free way to keep the inside of the car clean.

Store elves need lots of wrapping paper, tape and bows.  Once again, Walgreens to the rescue.  They have gift sacks eight for 99 cents, a three pack of Scotch tape for $1.99, Hallmark wrapping paper 2 rolls for $1.99, BOGO ribbons for 99 cents and tissue paper for 99 cents.

Good luck on your frugal Christmas shopping.

God bless,
Pam

Christmas Countdown: Menu Plan

Every year we go full out for Thanksgiving, cooking like maniacs. As a contrast I like to plan a simple Christmas Eve meal for family. To me Christmas is a day of celebration and relaxation in which families stay at home together. As adults, we tend to forget what it must be like for a child to be whisked away for visiting, when all they want is to stay at home to enjoy their new books and toys.

Why not have extended family and friends over for a buffet, most of which can be prepared in advance? Serve a large baked potato per person with an assortment of toppings, such as grated cheese, butter, sour cream, bacon, chives and fried onions. Or a salad and soup bar with two soups made earlier in the week.

Make one of your family's favorite casseroles in advance to heat for Christmas lunch/dinner/supper. Breakfast can be bagels and cream cheese, or something equally easy to prepare. With Christmas cookies and candy there should be plenty to eat.

Christmas is the celebration of our Lords birth and family, not a time to stress ourselves by trying to impress our relatives and friends. You should be able to enjoy the holiday too.

God bless,
Pam

Frugal Christmas Gifts: Batteries and Memory Cards

It is horribly disappointing to open a Christmas gift and not be able to use it because you do not have the batteries or memory card that it requires. Even worse when a child can't play with their new toys.

Be sure to buy these needed items and include them with the gifts. If you can do it without ruining the packaging, put the batteries and memory cards in the gifts. If not, they make a great stocking stuffer.

This is such a simple thing, but it is an act of consideration and makes for a joyful holiday.

God bless,
Pam

Frugal Christmas Gifts: Charity

We all know people that can truly say that they don't need to receive a gift at holiday time.  I remember cleaning out my grandmother's apartment after she died and finding box after box of unused gifts that we had sent her over the years.  Despite our good intentions, she just didn't need this stuff, but she was too frugal to get rid of it.

My answer to this has been to donate to charity in the gift recipient's name.  A card letting them know that you were thinking of them and made a donation in their name, plus information on the organization is a nice touch.

Some of my favorites are:  Seva, Heifer International, Habitat for Humanity, and Southeastern Guide Dogs (check out their puppy cam).  I like to purchase gifts from an organization that sells free trade, handmade items:  Ten Thousand Villages. Give the gift of giving this year and save someone from clutter.

God bless,
Pam

Frugal Christmas Gifts: Food Dehydrator

It was a good day when I purchased my Excalibur food dehydrator.  I dry excess produce, fruit leather, yogurt leather (tastes like taffy) and plan on making my own soup mixes using my own dehydrated vegetables and beans.  Dehydrated food takes up very little space in the pantry, but reconstitutes into a flavor and nutrient rich food product.

Once again, I will emphasize the need for frugal people to begin to reduce our dependance on traditional food suppliers.  Having our food stored in our pantry protects us from store closures, loss of income and disasters.  Living in Florida I always think of hurricane preparedness, but the causes of food shortages are varied.

And of course there is the fun factor.  Drying your own food and trying new recipes using your dehydrator (I'm thinking grapenuts here) is just plain fun.  To make your fun and your dehydrator last a good long while, buy the best you can afford.  It is well worth it.

God bless,
Pam

Frugal Christmas Gifts: Heirloom Seeds

Every gardener enjoys the time in the winter when the seed catalogs arrive.  It's great to relax and plan your spring garden.  It helps make the cold more endurable when you're dreaming of growing your own fresh vegetables and beautiful flowers.

I prefer to plant heirloom, open pollinated, non-gmo seeds.  The most frugal way to garden is to collect your own seeds to plant during the next gardening season and the only way you can do this is by growing open pollinated plants.  Because of the Gettles' strong commitment to being caretakers of this earth I prefer to shop at their company, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.

The link I've provided goes to the section of their web site where you can order a gift certificate.  Let your favorite gardener have the pleasure of designing their garden while knowing that they can certainly afford it due to your kind gift to them.

Take the time to browse the Baker Creek web site.  It is beautiful and inspiring.  Have fun!

God bless,
Pam

Frugal Christmas Gifts: Canning Supplies

Home canning can be the most frugal way to preserve the bounty from your garden, sales from the grocery, or meat from hunting. It doesn't rely on electricity and you know exactly what you are eating because you processed it.

I'm not going to give instruction on how to can, but I can recommend some books with reliable, easy to understand instructions. When buying equipment get the best you can afford. This will save you money in the long term. Start with a water bath canner (for jams, tomatoes, fruit and pickles), then graduate to a pressure canner (for nonacid vegetables and meat). Adding a box or two of jars will allow the recipient to get started canning right away.

Here are some of my recommendations:


God bless,
Pam