Fabulous Last Minute Gifts

Here are some cheap last minute gift ideas...

Restaurant.com still has their gift certificates at 80% off. Pay only $2 for a $25 gift certificate. Use code HOLIDAY at checkout.

CVS is offering a free 5x7 or 8x10 when you order online and use ENLARGE as the code. Also, choose "pick up in hours" and you can get 4x6 prints for .10 each.

Vistaprint.com has free 2009 calendars - this offer may be for returning customers, you will need to check. These calendars can be customized with your own photos. However, Vistaprint does offer free products regularly.

Walgreens is offering a free 8x10 when you use code FREEGIFT at checkout.

Here is an idea for decorating in the new year...Wonderful Graffiti is having their 6th Annual Write Sale. If your not familiar with Wonderful Graffiti, I strongly recommend you check out their site. They have beautiful interior typography for your walls. You can use your own quote or you can choose one of theirs. You could group a set of family photos with a meaningful quote in your home's entry. The sale starts Jan. 1 and ends Jan. 31.

Frugal Tree Skirt

For the past few years, I have really been into the idea of a Christmas forest. So, I purchased 3 skinny pre-lit trees of varying sizes and I group them together to achieve the look. This year though, I have one in my dining room and one on each side of my sofa. It looks really Christmas-y in here! Since a normal tree skirt wouldn't work really well, I looked for something different. I wanted to achieve the look of snow so I purchased 2-1/2 yards of white fleece on sale at Hancock Fabrics for $2.22 a yard. I cut it into three strips to drape around each of the trees. Next, I tucked the edges under to make it look a little more natural. Now my trees look like they have a blanket of snow around them. The best part is, this idea would work on any Christmas tree! If you have one big tree then you could really fluff it up and make it look snowy. Oh, and theres my paint buckets as gift baskets!!

Paint Bucket Gift Basket

I first saw this idea on Alyssa's blog, Keeping the Kingdom First. Once I saw it, I couldn't wait to make my own. The possibilities are endless! I purchased a paint bucket at Home Depot for about $5 then I used 2 - 12x12 pieces of cardstock that I already had and then I bought the ribbon at Hobby Lobby. I'm going to use these as gift baskets instead of actual baskets for Christmas presents. I could also fill them with cookies or candy for coworkers.

If you are like me and like to see things being made before you attempt them yourself, watch this video from monkeysee.com. Don't forget to tie the paint can opener on the side. Otherwise, you would be a little embarrassed if you didn't offer a way for the recipient to open their present. Although...that would be pretty hilarious...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I woke up early this morning because I am so excited about finishing dinner and watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! I hope you all have an awesome Thanksgiving Day! Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to ready my blog.

Here is my recipe for Cranberry Salad. Its so yummy that if I didn't make it every year, I would have some very upset family.

1 pkg. (6 oz.) cherry flavored gelatin
2 c. hot water
1 lb. can whole cranberry sauce
1 lb. can jellied cranberry sauce
1/4 c. lemon juice
1 lb. can crushed pineapple - drained
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Dissolved gelatin in water. Add cranberry sauces and lemon juice and walnuts (or pecans) they'll float to the top as it chills. Pour into a serving bowl. Chill until firm.

Tip: I always make this the night before so I know its ready to go on Thanksgiving.

Cool Way to Organize Your Necklaces

Organizing my jewelry has always been a weak spot for me. I had a beautiful jewelry box that my hubby got me for Christmas one year but it went into self destruct mode. Since then, my necklaces in particular have always sort of floated from place to place or mostly gotten piled up on the bathroom counter. I saw this idea in Family Circle Magazine, so I thought, "brilliant!, I can hang a corkboard on that blank wall in my closet." Now, you may think, "that is one fancy corkboard." Well you have my sweet hubby to thank for that. As we were standing in Hobby Lobby with corkboard in hand, he said, "why don't we paint a cool design on it." So, we did. We bought a can of cream colored spray paint and painted the background. Then we purchased a stencil and 3 different colors of acrylic paint and stenciled the lovely paisely design you see. I used regular clear colored pins to stick the necklaces up there. I have my earrings organized in a different place, but I'll post about that later.

So heres that "free" soup...

As I've read various money saving tips over the years, I've always seen the same one repeated..."Freeze leftover vegetables after dinner and use them to make a "free" soup." Well, I finally took that advice and used up all of my ziploc bags full of leftover vegetables to make some chicken soup. It was sooo good. Since the veggies were already seasoned from when I cooked them the first time, it really had such a good flavor. I also chopped up some leftover baked chicken to go in it and I added a bag of lima beans that I had in the freezer. And last but not least, I threw in a can of cream of chicken soup to thicken the broth. I would give you the recipe but there really isn't one since its based on what leftovers you have.

Cheap Restaurant Gift Certificates!

Check this out from Couponmom.com:

Deal extended! Save 80% at Restaurant.com with the code SURPRISE. Pay only $2 for a $25 certificate. Code expires Monday 11/24. These make great holiday gifts and don't expire for a full year. You can buy a $100 certificate for only $8!

Also, check out Couponmom.com. She lists grocery store sale prices and matches them with coupons. You can select stores from your area, view the sales and print a list to shop with. I got started with my couponing with Couponmom.com and it has been so helpful.