Fun & Frugal Holidays, Amazon Freebies! Eye Surgery Tomorrow

My Free Print and Thrifted Frame

Fun & Frugal Holidays-
Over the years I've found lots of easy ways to save money (and your sanity), by staying away from the "big holiday shopping season". It's just planning ahead and it's actually really easy. Here's some ideas....

*I've gotten a lot of holiday/winter decorations at thrift stores. I like to focus on winter decor with some Christmas/Yule things. When I take down the tree and holiday things, it's still festive and cheery. I found LOTS of great things, really expensive things, that are like new, but cheap. We got bought our fake tree! at a thrift store. I recently bought a $30.00 Santa table topper (price tag still attached)  for $4.00-

*I always decorate our old barn window with our holiday cards we receive (not all here yet). Just jazz up some of your existing features-

Ditto our dining room light fixture, a gingerbread man garland (thrifted too)-

Here's some other things I've thrifted over the years-

Thrifted shelf, slate sign, frame and print, large gnome

Thrifted white lanterns, greenery, vase and contents. It's my Solstice vase!

*With our adult kids we went to a simple gift exchange, drawing names. No one has to get everyone a gift. We just enjoy spending time together and relaxing, and eating fun holiday goodies! Usually those once a year meals, desserts and snacks...

* I always stock up on baking ingredients on sale (sometimes in the summer) and freeze them. I stock up on dry goods/drinks for the holidays too. Things like crackers, nuts, drinks, dried/cured meats and just buy a little at a time. You don't get that big financial hit preparing for a gathering by having to buy it all at once.

*I bought all my stocking stuffers for my 3 adult girls- olive oil soaps, organic moisturizers, Swiss chocolates all deeply discounted. Shhh, don't tell :)

You can still have a gorgeous home and relaxing time by just being more flexible. And save a bundle!!!

Amazon Freebies!-
When I went to Amazon a couple days ago a box popped up. I said I had earned some visa $$$ to spend. After I read the fine print (carefully) I was able to buy $110. worth of items! No charge! Yippee! Basically I had spent enough money there on my one credit card to earn points. I bought- a pair of Nike track pants for Dave, some hard boiled eggs carriers, Ikea kitchen towels, some Meyer lemon cookies and Lingonberries. The runner above is my fave! It's reversible with snowflakes on one side and plaid on the other. I LOVE it!!! I guess it pays to keep your eyes open....

Eye Surgery Tomorrow-
I'm off first thing to have my 2nd cataract removed. I'm so looking forward to this! A blurry eye is no fun. The docs actually did a ultra sound and said it was pretty thick. With 2 weeks off I decideed it would be a good time for it. I can rest and relax. We're having a small Christmas dinner, etc. with some of the kids out of town. Perfect timing. Soo... I may not post for a bit depending on how my eye does... So.....

Happy Holidays!!!

And Happy New Year!!!

Anya's long winter nap, again :)