Category Archives: Holiday Time

Nov 19

Gas Prices and Holiday Travel

Last Friday while running errands, I noticed it was time to stop off and put gas in the car. I drove past a few gas stations, and hoped the I could put off the task until later. Gas prices were up to $3.14 here, and are set to rise even higher with Thanksgiving this week. Ouch!

I have (maybe) three trips to make this week. We are driving to my Sister-in-Law’s for Thanksgiving, and then maybe to my Brother’s for Thanksgiving evening. I also have a day off planned (out of town 20 minute drive) on Friday. This is going to be one expensive week in the gas tank.

How are the gas prices in your area? Has the rise in gas prices changed your holiday plans?

Nov 18

Talking Christmas with My Toddler

Christmas seems to be everywhere. Locally it started at Walgreens and Wal-Mart before Halloween was over. Last week downtown was completely decorated. Snow may be on the way by Thanksgiving, and Thade is pretty sure that it is Christmas now.

We still have a little while before Christmas, and I know he is getting anxious. We sat down last week to talk about the upcoming holidays.  I asked him “what do you like about Christmas?” Thade quickly replied “snow, I love to walk on it, and listen to it crunch.” I thought how sweet, and then he said “and we are going to get a Playstation 3”. Snow maybe, Playstation 3 I don’t think so.

What are some of your favorite things about Christmas? Do you have any family traditions for the Holidays?

Nov 14

Holiday/Winter Pantry

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I’ve been searching the sales ads and stocking up for Thanksgiving, when I found out that I won’t be hosting this year. My Sister-in-law has volunteered to take over the hosting duties. I guess I will have to keep my great buys for when I host Christmas.

I had been stocking up my little microwave cabinet with:

  • Stuffing Mix found for $.88 ea
  • Green Beans and Corn for $.50 ea
  • Cake Mixes for $.82 ea
  • Chocolate Icing found for $.49 ( I combined 2 coupons fot the great deal)

I don’t know if the Chocolate Cake Mix and Icing will Make it to Christmas, I think I might have to bake a Bundt Cake in the near future 🙂

What treats and staple goods are you stockpiling for the holidays? How do you store your great buys?

Nov 10

Trim the Tree

We aren’t decorating for Christmas just yet, but I’m trying to get a plan going. Tonight my mom and I were discussing what we were going to decorate the Christmas tree with. Every year she has a different theme for her tree, and I tend to stick with the basic unbreakable ornaments.  It was fun throwing around different ideas, here are a few that we (mostly she) are thinking about using:

  • A Nature themed Christmas Tree: With craft store birds, and homemade nests. You could use popcorn garland (if your kids are a little older than mine), and peanut butter/ bird seed covered pine cones.  Even washed and pressed pretty Fall leaves would make great ornaments.
  • An Origami Tree: Pretty folded paper cranes, fish, turtles, anything that you can fold would make perfect ornaments.
  • Jewelry Theme: Get out the costume jewelry, brooches, hat pins, and adorn the tree. Vamp up the tree skirt by using a rich burgundy velvet.
  • Sports Theme: Does your family have a favorite sport that you collect? Thade has so many NASCAR die-cast cars that would look pretty cute as ornaments, but I don’t think he would let me do this one. What about Football?
  • Do you a favorite color, or even your wedding colors? Be it pink, blue, or purple look around for lights, ribbons, and ornaments in your favorite color to dress the tree.
  • Even a Santa, Snowman, or Snowflake themed tree would be cute 🙂

What will you be decorating with this year? Do you have a favorite ornament from your childhood?