Happy Frugal Christmas!

CHRISTMAS IS OVER FOR ANOTHER YEAR!

2011-12-28T17:06:00.004Z

Well, it's all over folks! The spending, the cooking, the drinking, the eating- well, perhaps not the eating! So here's hoping you haven't incurred too much debt over Christmas and don't have a bad start to 2012.

I will be continuing my moneysaving efforts all year round over on Happy Frugal Year, but if you want to start Christmas knitting ready for next year, take a look at my Free Christmas Knitting Patterns blog now and get started! And I'll be attempting to add to it as the year goes on, so keep on checking back!
Happy Frugal New Year!

FREE PRINTABLE GIFT TAGS

2011-12-21T13:39:00.004Z

I've usually got a stash of home-made gift tags which I cut out every year from my Christmas cards, but if you haven't, these free printable gift labels are really good. You will need thin card that will go through your printer though, which is a bit of a drawback as just printing them out on ordinary paper will look a bit strange!

LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS PRESENT TO KNIT

2011-12-15T12:03:00.001Z

If you need a really modern, last minute Christmas present for someone, then this free pattern for an Anthroplogie inspired headwrap (headband) by Jen Geigley is a winner. Knitted in cable with a very chunky yarn, it will be done in no time and is a real winter warmer. It has a button fastening for ease of fit, but you could join the ends as a band.

POLO NECK BOTTLE COSY TO KNIT

2011-12-13T14:08:00.003Z

A real cutesy thing to knit - this free pattern for a lovely polo neck bottle cosy is just right for giving a bottle as a gift- particularly in that lovely sparkley yarn!

Lots more free Christmas knitting patterns here!

A QUICK ROUND-UP OF FRUGAL CHRISTMAS GIFTS TO KNIT OR CROCHET!

2011-12-08T17:42:00.002Z

Just a quick round-up of all those lovely frugal Christmas gifts to make that I've posted links to over the past few Christmasses! They all slip far down the posts and you may have missed out on something - so take a look!
Christmas gifts to make round-up
Happy frugal creations!
Lots more free Christmas knitting patterns here!

50% OFF AT THE BODYSHOP

2011-12-06T11:21:00.001Z

There's hundreds of codes going around on the 'net at the moment- and we all know it's part of a cynical ploy where retailers hike up prices unrealistically at the start of their season - then give "50% off" at a crucial moment (like Christmas!) and make people think they're getting a bargain.

Trouble is, we have to hold our nerve, hang on and decide "Is that a price I would be happy to pay for that item anyway? Is it really worth that price - discounted or not?"

So, with that caveat in mind, I've found a Bodyshop offer (not their 50% off one for megaMonday, that finishes sometime today) which will give you £20 off when you spend £40 online with free standard delivery if you spend over £30 - use DISCOUNT20 (ends 13th Dec) at the checkout, but before you go to the Bodyshop site - join up with Topcashback - the site that gives you cashback for shopping- and click through to the Bodyshop. They are offering 12.12% cashback for Bodyshop purchases at the moment, so you can save even more.

CROCHET A SANTA SUIT FOR YOUR FAVOURITE LITTLE BABY!

2011-12-03T22:55:00.002Z

This cute free pattern for a Santa outfit to crochet for your favourite little person is just irresistible - and you still have time to make it!

FREE PEPPA PIG TOY KNITTING PATTERN

2011-12-01T22:23:00.003Z

I'm not quite sure about the attraction of Peppa Pig - but then I'm not a child - so what do I know? But it does seem that lots of little people are mad on her - so you've just got time to knit a Peppa Pig for your little fan for Christmas. I've found this free knitting pattern for Peppa Pig - get knitting quick!
Lots more free Christmas knitting patterns here!

RETRO SWEET HAMPERS!

2011-12-01T12:40:00.003Z

Today, I was browsing a website which was suggesting interesting Christmas gifts (i.e. not socks!!) and my eye was caught by a picture of a retro sweet hamper. On closer reading it seemed that the hamper, containing retro sweets like Sherbet dabs, Gobstoppers, Refresher Bars, Flying Saucers, Love hearts, Black Jacks, Foam Shrimps, Candy Necklaces, Candy Sticks and Gobstoppers, cost £22.99 plus £2.99 delivery. The hamper measures 20cm x 28cm x 12 cm which is quite cutesy and small - sort of handbag sized, but I can't see the weight of the sweets displayed anywhere. I'm sure you cold make your own for a lot less! The sweets can be bought loose online (just Google "retro sweets") or in large bags from the supermarket, so then you need a container.
Now, I know it can be difficult and expensive to buy wicker/straw hampers, but most recipients of this gift probably wouldn't know what to do with a hamper once the sweets were eaten and it may be thrown out or given away - how much more useful would it be to find a container that had a use afterwards - and was easier and cheaper to obtain? You may even be able to buy a seasonal gift box or bag to use.I'll leave the ideas to all of you good people - because it depends who you're buying it for! It could be a plant pot cover, a giant beer mug or tea cup and saucer, a bucket (with sponge!) for car cleaning - well, you get the idea!
Leave a comment if you come up with some ideas - I'd love to hear them! (and add them to this post).

FREE LEGO KIT WITH SUN NEWSPAPER (60P)

2011-11-30T11:52:00.006Z

The Sun is offering a voucher for a free Lego Star Wars toy in their paper on Sat 3rd Dec (60p) and Lego police helicopter on Sat 10th Dec. The vouchers are redeemable at WH Smith and Toys R Us and you probably should redeem them straight away to make sure of getting the kit.
The Sun says they are worth around £4 , but as they are not usually sold on their own, but are part of larger kits, it's difficult to say exactly. However, a stocking filler for a very frugal 60 pence can't be bad!
There are two designs (pictured above), the Vulture Droid is in Saturday the 3rd December's paper and the helicopter in Saturday December the 10th's.
Get them early!

PRINT YOUR OWN ENVELOPES, CARDS, GIFT BAGS, TAGS AND BOXES

2011-11-30T11:21:00.004Z

I'm trawling the 'net for Christmassy frugal stuff and today I've found printable templates for a 4.5" x 6" envelope (pdf), a santa gift tag (and more), a snowman giftcard, a santa Christmas card, gift bag printables in all designs, and a lovely "friends" card and a Christmas tree card ideal for children to send. Some of the designs are photo images and some are drawn designs which could be livened up with gold or silver pen lines, or a sprinkle of glitter or frosting to enhance them. Another idea is to make tiny ribbon bows from narrow ribbon if you have it (I use the ribbon loops that I've cut from from the shoulders of clothing), and glue to the corner of your card.
Tip - some of the templates are pdf. and some are just images you can save as a jpg. file, but as over time, websites change or disappear, it's probably good to save these on your computer for next year!
Happy frugal crafting!

FREE AMIGURUMI LITTLE BIG PLANET SACKBOY CROCHET PATTERN

2011-11-29T17:27:00.000Z

As well as a free knitting pattern to knit a LittleBig Planet Sackboy, I've now found a lovely little Amigurumi Sackboy free crochet pattern which would make a lovely Christmas stocking filler. It has the pattern and full Youtube instructions to help you.
Get hooking!

MAKE YOUR OWN WARMING WHEAT BAGS

2011-11-28T23:11:00.005Z

Wheat bags are warming and great for winter aches and pains. Sew your own lavender bags with these instructions from A Spoonful of Sugar, from pretty brushed fabric scraps for gifts or make some for yourself from old brushed cotton shirts or pyjamas.
Finish with matching ribbon and a pretty label with microwaving instructions and you have a pretty, practical gift.

HOW TO MAKE JUNK MAIL STAR DECORATIONS

2011-11-26T18:53:00.005Z

These gorgeous junkmail star Christmas decorations can be quickly made from scraps of Christmas wrapping paper, magazines or junkmail, glue, cardboard (a cereal packet will do) and stick-on gems (although I would use buttons, sequins or beads- anything rather than have to go and buy something!). If you have glitter you can add it and a loop of thread will make it into a great tree decoration. Instructions HERE.
(and more scrap/cheap Christmas decorations to make HERE)

23 FREE GINGERBREAD HOUSE DESIGNS

2011-11-22T20:32:00.003Z

Making gingerbread houses seems like a forgotten art - but if you have a hankering for some gingerbread making, here's a free downloadable gingerbread house ebook with everything you will need; recipes and building techniques, candy list, more gingerbread recipes and Christmas craft ideas.

MAKE SOME CROCHET BELLS AND SNOWFLAKES!

2011-11-22T20:24:00.004Z

These beautiful crochet snowflakes and bells will look wonderful as a tree decoration. I'm afraid I have to admit to not being a very experienced crocheter- but someone out there will love this free snowflake and bells crochet pattern - I just know it!

FREE CHRISTMAS PUDDING BEANIE HAT KNITTING PATTERN

2011-11-22T11:57:00.003Z

Just the thing to get in the Christmas spirit - a knitting pattern for an adult size cute Christmas plum pudding beanie! Well, if nothing else, who ever wears it will give everyone a really good seasonal laugh!

Lots more free Christmas knitting patterns here!

HOW TO GET YOUR CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR (ALMOST) NOTHING

2011-11-20T22:29:00.002Z

Well it's Sunday, and, as it's always free to park in my nearest town on Sunday, I've gone and done some Christmas shopping, but I managed not to spend too much! I've used my loyalty cards and cash-back websites where I can and here's what I've achieved so far:

11 bottles of wine for about £3 which will top up my very low Christmas drinks stock, using the Tesco Clubcard Double points exchange (I changed up £30 worth of vouchers and went over my £60 self-imposed limit a bit with my last bottle of wine!)
a gift for my niece, paid for with my Boots Advantage Card points
a Dorothy Perkins £10 voucher from a cashback website I use, that'll be another gift!
John Lewis vouchers from our credit card spending all year - not spent yet, but they will buy turkey, cake, pudding, mince pies, custard, tree chocolates and more in Waitrose.
2 presents from Accessorise with a 25% discount from an emailed discount for instore and online (I had to show them the email on my phone!)
2 lip glosses I've received from online giveaways - more gifts for the girls in the family!

So, I'm not doing too badly on the spending so far- and just for a bit of effort with the loyalty and credit cards on routine weekly shopping that I would be doing anyway!

MAKE YOUR OWN JAR GIFTS

2011-11-17T15:27:00.003Z

I know that home-made Christmas presents conjure up images of badly knitted jumpers and pictures made from pasta, but really, honestly, you can make something simple, frugal, and it can look professional!
Jars full of something gifts are an old idea, but we can bring them up to date. Take a look at online gift catalogues and check out the foody, cosmetic and bathing sections. I've done that this morning and found some already - actually it was a jar of salt from Jamie Oliver's cooking range- not a thrilling present!
But - if you think creatively and take inspiration from the packaging, the colours, the contents of gifts, you're starting off on the right lines. There are baking sets, cup-cake sets, coffee making sets, gardening sets - the list is endless.
Jars are not cheap- but unless you are completely penniless, I would try not to use an empty jam jar! Lakeland has some old-fashioned looking folksy style jars (very now) and they come in two sizes, 500ml (£15.99 for 6) and 1 litre (£17.99 for 6). Before you gasp at the price- that works out at £2.67 and £2.99 respectively and filling them can be as cheap or expensive as you like. If you think you won't be able to find cheap enough fillings for these jars, check out some ideas for jar gifts here and these here on the Organised Christmas site who have even give you free printable recipe labels to finish off your foodie jar gift!
You could fill your jars with your own home made sweets, or Christmas Chutney or just tailor your fillings to the recipient; nail polish, emery boards, cotton wool, nail polish remover for a girl who likes to paint her nails, bath bombs and pearls for ladies who like to soak, travel size bath goodies and socks for men, beads with instructions for little girls.
You can even make "jar" gifts without the jar - just use a suitable container that goes with the gift, for example, a flower pot containing seeds, gardening gloves and a small garden trowel for a keen gardener or a pretty cake tin with ingredients, cake paper cases and instructions for cupcakes for an aspiring cook (these are around £40 on some sites at the moment).
Happy frugal gifting!

FREE ANGRY BIRDS AMIGURUMI TOY CROCHET PATTERN

2011-11-15T17:11:00.002Z

Yet another creative Christmas present idea to keep you busy! If you know an Angry Birds fan then this free crochet pattern for Angry Birds Red Bird is a great stocking filler idea!

MORE FREE CHRISTMAS COLOURING PAGES TO PRINT OUT

2011-11-01T14:36:00.003Z

I've been scouring the web for free Christmas colouring pages - everyone loves these and they are so adaptable. You can make posters, cut sections out and make bunting, use for decoupage, banners, or print out and colour for Christmas greetings cards.
Here's some more for your enjoyment - Educational Colouring Pages and Colouring Pages.com.
Get those kids colouring!

A CROCHET PATTERN FOR THE ALL-IMPORTANT SANTA HAT

2011-11-01T13:07:00.003Z

There's never enough Santa hats to go around at Christmas so Fave Crafts has given us 2 lovely crochet patterns for them! There is one cute little baby Santa hat for the smallest people in the family and a grown up size one for the rest of us!
Find your red and white yarn and get crocheting!

FREE TUTORIAL RECIPE FOR BATH SNOWBALLS!

2011-11-01T13:00:00.005Z

Yet another gem from Fave Crafts - a free bath Snowball recipe- ideal for an extra Christmas gift! Lovely and sparkly- they look great in white, but can be coloured with food colouring. You need a few very simple ingredients, but the spherical mould may be an expense, but at least once you have it you can produce more gifts in future years.

5 FREE CROCHET CHRISTMAS WREATH PATTERNS

2011-11-01T12:50:00.004Z

I'm sorry that I'm not much of a crocheter (is that even a word?) - my skills amount to a few dodgy looking practise granny squares at the moment! I MUST practise more! I may be able to make something like this then!
This beautiful crochet Christmas wreath from Fave Crafts is just one of a free downloadable ebook of crochet Christmas wreaths. There is also a Candy cane crochet wreath, a Christmas Bells crochet wreath, a small Christmas Wreath decorative pin brooch and a small crochet wreath decoration.
I love them all because they all have that sometimes rare quality of looking professional, whilst also looking hand-crafted.
Happy frugal crocheting!

THE DISAPPEARING (AND REAPPEARING) CHRISTMAS LIST

2011-10-30T17:13:00.002Z

That's it, I have to admit it, I cannot find my Christmas list- did I even start one? I really can't remember! But actually my other half thinks I did, so I'm not imagining things. Wait a minute...(jumps up looks in the "junk, pencils, crayons, paper" drawer and flicks through numerous half started A4 lined note pads) - found it!
Well, I have to say it's a disappointment - only 2 people with gifts beside their names and, I will freely admit, these are "regiftings"! My regifting process has to be highly organised - I never want to be in the agonisingly embarrassing position of realising that I've regifted something to the original giver! I have a relative who once carefully wrapped up a bottle of hand cream I had given her in a very unusual make boxed set about 5 years before. It smelled a bit funny so I threw it away and made a mental note about her generosity (and her memory) - I always at least I make sure I quickly rotate gifts!
On my list so far there is a book that my son was about to donate to the charity shop (in excellent once-read condition) and a set of men's smellies in the usual box/bag which my husband really wasn't going to use (he already has a few from many Christmases ago!).
So that's why my list already has something on it. I have to be sure the gifts go from one side of the family to the other, so labelling and note-taking are a must in my regifting system.
As a person who feels quite depressed about the amount of money spent and the debt accrued generally, at Christmas, (see my 2008 post on just this) I have no shame in regifting and keeping my expenditure low. I do try to buy appropriate gifts for the person concerned, but also try to only spend around £5 on each gift (but considerably more for my husband, parents and children- I might add!). I cannot face a credit card bill in January, so I buy small and regularly and use all my loyalty card points and survey credits to help me spread the expense.
The sheer escalation of cynical marketing by the big stores at Christmas, just depresses me. I'm not that religious, but at this time of year, I do often think back to why we are all celebrating Christmas in the first place - and it doesn't have much to do with the rampant commercialism we see on our high streets and in the shopping centres now.
It is, as ever, the thought that counts.

14 FREE KNITTING PATTERNS FOR CHRISTMAS

2011-10-12T15:15:00.003+01:00

There's plenty of time to start knitting for Christmas - (I hope the wool shops don't run out of red, white and green yarn!). I've found 14 lovely patterns for Christmas which include quite a few Christmas stockings, a doggy coat for your favourite pooch, a gorgeous hooded red jacket for a little one, a scarf and perhaps my favourite of the lot, a lovely Bow Cushion- a knitted cushion all wrapped up in a huge knitted bow!
Happy Frugal knitting!
Lots more free Christmas knitting patterns here!

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!

2011-10-05T16:24:00.002+01:00

I was going to put off resurrecting my Christmas blog until Halloween was well out of the way, as I'm not fond of bringing Christmas preparations even closer to the summer holidays! But I've begun to look at my stash of Christmas gifts bought and won throughout the year, so I guess it must be time to start again! I started a list somewhere a few weeks ago - now I can't find it! That often means I buy someone a present who I have already bought for- then I have to try to work out who else I can give it to - not easy!
You'll see I have installed a "Countdown to Christmas" widget on this blog so we are all reminded each time we read, just how close the actual day is getting!
Right - I'm off to find that list. Christmas gift giving has to be more frugal than ever this year - I'm determined!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2010-12-30T17:05:00.002Z

Well, my Happy New Year greeting is a bit early I know, but Happy Frugal Christmas will be a bit quieter now the festivities are over, unless or until I find any urgent Christmas ideas or bargains!
Carry on your frugal efforts all year along with me at Happy Frugal Year and save, save, save money!

MERRY CHRISTMAS - NOW IT'S SALE TIME! BUT NOT FOR ME!

2010-12-24T18:45:00.004Z

At the depressing news that Marks and Spencer's sale starts on-line tonight and in-store on Boxing Day my heart sinks. Haven't we already spent enough? My inbox is flooded with "up to 50% off " sales notices - and you know what? I don't care. If I buy anything in the sales it may be a box of decent crackers for next Christmas - couldn't get any this year as stores were asking £8-£10 for rubbish or £15-£20 for slightly less rubbish.
At least this year I won't still be moving plastic keyrings, hippo shaped bottle openers and metal puzzles around the sideboard until April! Yep - it gets to Easter and, guess what? I throw them away or send them to the charity shop. Why do we bother with crackers? Because we're being brain-washed. Christmas is a retail and media construction, pressurising us into believing that it won't be a great Christmas unless we buy this or that and eat this or that.
As for the sales - well they can stick their sales - if it was ALL genuinely 50% off it may be worth looking at - but it's not. The tat that no-one would be silly enough to buy is 50% off - like that weird plastic belt, strange hat, ugly clutch bag or tiny rubbish chain necklace. Anything that you'd really want has a quid knocked off it if you're lucky.
Enjoy your Christmas Day, spend quality time with your family and watch rubbish TV - forget the sales - who cares? Save your money - in 2011 you're probably going to need it.
Happy Frugal Christmas!

40 FRUGAL LAST-MINUTE CHRISTMAS GIFTS

2010-12-21T16:18:00.002Z

Well, the title says it all - 40 last-minute Christmas gifts for the kids and you to make! There is still time!

15 FREE EBOOKS FOR YOU!

2010-12-12T21:22:00.000Z

Fave Crafts has on offer 15 free ebooks . There's a great choice - all free to download. Titles are:
14 New Year's Eve Party Ideas,12 Fun and Fabulous Mod Prodge projects, Perfect for Christmas Giving: 6 Gift in a Jar Ideas, Quick and Easy Decoupage, 9 Thanksgiving Decorations to Make, The Make My Own HolidayGifts Guide, Homemade Halloween Decorations, How to Halloween, Make it a Red Heart Holiday Knitting & Crochet ebook, 12 Thrifty Trash to Treasure Crafts, Cheap Home Decor, 8 Free Apron Sewing Patterns, 25 Afghan Patterns and Fun With Fabric Dye.
Happy Frugal Christmas!

FRUGAL STOCKING FILLERS FOR KIDS

2010-12-07T17:48:00.004Z

Fill up those Christmas stockings with these lovely stash-busting gifts to knit or crochet from Bernat's free patterns. There are patterns for Cuddly Caterpillars, Topsy Turvy Doll, Owl, Bunny, Petunia Piglet, Mouse, bear, Bunny and Kitty Finger Puppets, Teddy and more. These small gifts should be quick to make and easily done from oddments of yarn.
More Happy Frugal Christmas shopping!

FRUGAL GIFTS FOR KIDS!

2010-12-07T15:53:00.004Z

This Goodnight Mister Tom DVD is a real bargain from Amazon at just £3.97 with free delivery.
John Thaw stars as the widowed and cantankerous Tom Oakley in this charming film adaptation of the prize-winning children’s novel by Michelle Magorian. When the Second World War is declared, Tom finds that his quiet life in the village of Little Weirwold is set to change when nine-year-old Willie Beech (Nick Robinson) is evacuated from London and billeted on him. Willie is a quiet, sad child with a deprived and disturbing past, but he slowly begins to flourish under the care of ‘Mister Tom’ and enjoys an idyllic village life. The story is often used as a school reading text in Year 7 and 8 and its Second World War themes of evacuation and the Blitz are studied in primary schools, so it will interest a wide age range. Quite apart from that it's a great film for adults too - a really enjoyable watch!
The story of Goodnight Mister Tom is also available as a Puffin paperback book - another frugal gift - priced at just £3.89 - again, from Amazon with free delivery.
If you need a frugal gift for toddlers, Debenhams has My First Animals now £3.25 with free standard delivery, a 10 board book gift box with simple text, bright, vibrant colours and photographic images. The small books are perfect for young children as they can use the books and turn the pages themselves, improving dexterity and motor skills as well as learning about the world around them. Another frugal gift for the little ones is Peppa Pig - Peppa's Christmas DVD. just £2.99 from Amazon with free delivery.
Slightly older children may enjoy the Paddington Bear Activity Pad, now £1.49 (also free delivery) and full of fun activities and colouring.
Teenagers might enjoy The Twilight Saga: Eclipse DVD, £8.97 or the book Dimensions Behind the Twilight Zone: A Backstage Tribute to Television's Groundbreaking Series both from Amazon with free delivery.
More Happy Frugal shopping!

THE CHRISTMAS CHUTNEY IS MADE!

2010-11-27T21:58:00.002Z

I have, today, cooked up 6 lovely jars of my Christmas Chutney. It simmered away for 45 minutes, meaning I had a few complaints from my son about the lovely, cider vinegar-y, sugary, fruity, spicy smell that was floating around every corner of the house! I've made 3 big jars - probably all for me, as I'm the one who loves it with cheese, in sandwiches, with cold meats, in Ploughman's lunches etc - and 3 small jars which, I may, if absolutely necessary, give away as gifts with the regulation circle of Christmassy fabric, cut out with pinking shears and secured with a rubber band over the lid!
Or I may just eat it all - by the end of the summer it could all be gone, but by then it will have also improved in taste, so will be even better!
Happy chutney making!

WAYS TO (NOT) PAY FOR CHRISTMAS!

2010-11-18T16:59:00.005Z

So, it's 37 days to Christmas - I know this only because Ebay, considerately, has it on it's home page in big red numbers and I see it every time I log in!
I'm not telling you anything you probably don't already know when I say that if you are in debt and can't afford Christmas presents, then don't put it all on the credit card, or a store card (actually never put anything on a store card - a savvy frugaller wouldn't even own one) they are expensive and a complete waste of your hard earned cash. Don't put it all on your overdraft either.
But-I hear you say, I have to buy all these presents and food - no you don't. Not if it means deeper debt and a miserable New Year - again! Too many of us greet each New Year with a mountain of growing debt - and debt does grow, like Topsy - even if you stop adding to it. Very few of us can pay it off quick enough to keep up with huge interest charges.
Start now - thinking of all those extended family and friends that you buy presents for and who (we assume) buy for you. Tell them not to buy for you this year - tell them you can't afford to buy for everyone, you are cutting back, you are saving for a house deposit, trying to clear your overdraft - tell them anything, but make it clear you just can't afford it!
If we all had to pay actual cash for our Christmas presents, food, clothes - then what a different world it would be! No keeping up with friends and neighbours or trying to outbuy relatives with bigger and better presents! No being tempted by huge displays in the shops, no being made to feel inadequate because we can't afford what the gift catalogues tell us are "stocking fillers" at anything from £15 upwards!
Anyway - do you really want to give (or receive) another gift pack of smellies that you won't or can't use? The people close to us usually know what we would really like for Christmas - the others just go round the stores filling their baskets up with 3 for 2's that will probably all end up in the charity shop in January - well, I suppose it does someone a good turn!
If you need more inspiration take a look at an earlier post on this subject...

CROCHET YOUR OWN YODA FOR STAR WARS FANS!

2010-11-10T15:06:00.005Z

Yes - it's true you or one of your very lucky friends or relatives, can crochet Yoda from this free pattern - great Christmas present - what are you waiting for?

PLAN OUT YOUR CHRISTMAS GIFT SHOPPING AND SAVE NOW!

2010-11-09T15:11:00.006Z

I don't know about you, but my inbox is full of newsletters from retailers offering free delivery and discounts - all in time for Christmas! Of course they are trying to tempt us to buy, buy, buy - but you can turn this to your advantage. Before things get really frantic and you have to start dashing around the shops, you can sit quietly at your computer and buy your Christmas presents and here's how.

Make a list of who you have to buy for.

Set a budget for each gift.

Browse the larger retailers for ideas.

Take advantage of 3 for 2 offers.

Make sure you have researched on the internet for free delivery and discount codes.

Use your reward or cashback credit card (hopefully you've got one - you should have!)

Go through a cashback website such as TopCashback for your purchases - every little bit helps!

This way, even though you have to spend, hopefully it will be carefully planned frugal shopping!

LOADS OF FREE CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS!

2010-11-09T14:59:00.006Z

I know it's not the Christmas school holidays just yet, but I couldn't resist getting in early and there's nothing better than being prepared for school holiday boredom when you're busy icing the Christmas cake or wrapping gifts!
ichild has masses of free Christmas themed activities to print off and all you have to do is register on a simple form. There are Christmas cards (in French and Spanish too), colouring pages, craft instructions for all manner of festive things, word puzzles, stencils, decorations to make, masks, dot to dot, recipes, Father Christmas letter templates, maths games, invitations and much more.
You can print them out and put them aside in a box with the appropriate materials, colouring pens etc all ready for the holidays. Whether you are a harassed parent, child minder or grandparent, this is a fantastic resource!

FREE CHRISTMAS KNITTING & CROCHET EBOOK TO DOWNLOAD

2010-10-01T14:56:00.003+01:00

Yes, more Christmas crafts to be getting on with! Fave Crafts is offering a lovely free Christmas ebook to download containing 26 knit, crochet and craft projects. There are patterns for a snowy crochet garland for your tree, pom-pom Christmas trees, crochet Nativity scene, a Christmas stocking, throws, pillows, beanies, ornaments, scarves and much more.
Happy Frugal Christmas!

KNIT A RUDOLPH REINDEER FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE!

2010-09-30T17:32:00.003+01:00

Yep! Christmas is on its way and this cute little Rudolph can be knitted up in no time -although I have to say personally, I would knit him in a reindeer sort of brown! Get knitting!

61 FREE CROCHET PATTERNS FOR CHRISTMAS!

2010-09-08T17:19:00.003+01:00

If you love to crochet then you'll love these christmas crochet patterns. There are 61 free patterns and they include toys, ornaments, Santas, Santa hats, Santa baby outfit, a snowman, an angel, Afghan blankets, garlands, tree skirts, Christmas stockings, doilies, a basket, place mats, tree and table decorations.
There's plenty of time to get loads of them made - Happy Frugal crocheting!

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING - NOW!

2010-08-24T11:17:00.003+01:00

I know it's only August and I know I say it every year, but - start your present shopping now!
I hate to see Christmas stuff in the shops each August, just as much as everyone else, but it is an inescapable fact, planning saves us money!
At the moment there are summer sales which do not just include summer items - there is jewellery, homewares, sweatshirts, tee shirts, nightwear, toys - all perfectly great Christmas presents!
Make your list and see what you can buy - stick to your budget at all costs - if it's £10 per person - stick to it (well, I do allow myself up to £10.99 if I see something just perfect!), if it's £5 per person - stick to it. Like me, you'll be glad come January. Who wants to see the cold grey New Year in with a bundle of debt - or being absolutely skint until the end of February?
Once you've made your "who to buy for" list - think! Aunty Edna probably doesn't want any more hankies or ornaments - what does she really like? Is it a particular perfumed talc?, home made fudge? more batteries for the remote control - or a combination of all of those? I often fill a Christmas gift bag with an assortment of what I call "consumables" tailored exactly towards the recipient - the older generation in my family want stuff they can use - not more stuff to fill drawers with or ornaments to dust.
Another idea is to buy vouchers - gone are the days when there were only book tokens or Boots vouchers - you can get vouchers for almost everything now! Post Office gift vouchers - easily available locally to you, are redeemable in over 17000 outlets! Or if you want to buy online then try High Street Vouchers - again, they have a massive choice of retailers. Garden tokens are popular and my local cinema sells gift tokens for its performances. It pays to think - we all know that if we are rushing around buying gifts at the last minute, it costs us more.
Thinking saves us money!

QUICK! GET ALL YOUR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS NOW FOR UNDER £5 PER PERSON!

2010-07-08T13:19:00.004+01:00

Yes, yes - I know the temperatures are rocketing outside and none of us want to be sitting at our computers - but I feel this is a real oppportunity for frugal money-saving and, as such, not to be missed!
Debenhams is having a sale (when aren't they, you may say) and I've been looking specifically at the Gifts and Toys section and it's worth an hour of your time. I've seen loads of great gifts and I've only gone up to £5! (I don't go beyond that figure).
Here's how you do it. Just go to the Debenhams sale Gifts and Toys section (it's not all gifts and toys, by the way - there's clothing items, jewellery etc., as well) and make sure that you change the "Sort by" box (top right, under the Blue cross sale banner) to "Price (low-high)". This enables you to make sure you're not tempted by any high price stuff! I always make sure I don't go beyond £5 - that's my budget!
Here's a few things I'm tempted by-
Hello Kitty Mini frisbee £2.40, a Julien Macdonald Snake bangle £2.40, Ben de Lisi Hematite faceted stud earrings £2.50, I am Stig mug £3, Worlds Apart stunt kite £4, travel Monopoly and Cluedo £4 each, Jack Daniels whisky and hipflask set £4, Craghoppers insect repelling socks £4, Guinness slippers £4.50, Matthew Williamson girl's sequinned tie cardi £4.50-£5, Marvel Comics pen set in case £2.75 and more.
There's loads of toys, candles, jewellery, colourful boxers, knickers, socks, t shirts, sweets and chocolates. Be quick the site is slow today and I wonder if that means it's very busy. A couple of items I spotted earlier already seem to have disappeared!
Debenhams charge £3.99 for standard delivery (free to your local store), but I've come across this free delivery code SHD1 on a forum - it may well have ended- but there's no harm in giving it a try! You may just be lucky.

IT'S NEARLY SUMMER - START YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!

2010-05-16T15:58:00.005+01:00

In my many recent visits to the local charity shops in the last couple of weeks, I've realised that there seems to be an abundance of bric-a-brac and gifts - people are spring cleaning and having a clearout while they're at it! They're cleaning under their beds and finding little bags of unwanted Christmas gifts that they didn't know where to put at the time, so they just rammed them under the bed- I know- I do it! They're getting out their summer clothes and coming across boxes of stuff in the back of their wardrobes that they just don't have the space to keep any more. That's where we score! The charity shops are quieter in good weather and often have more stock. Get your gift lists written and start visiting your local charity shops regularly. Goods are continually being sorted and displayed - as shelves empty, the shop staff have to fill them, so keep visiting and make sure you go before Friday or Saturday as I've often spotted something on a Thursday - thought I'd come back for it on Friday afternoon or Saturday, only to discover it's gone! Look for new, packed gifts, good glass or pottery, unusual (but perfect) mugs to pack with mini gifts or sweets, new knitting yarn to knit gifts with, or, if you are a jewellery maker - loose beads or findings to create that individual piece that no-one else will ever have.
Remember, if you spot a bargain, buy it at the time - as the odds are on, someone else will spot it too!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2010-04-22T11:01:00.002+01:00

I hope you all had a great Christmas and a frugal Happy New Year to you!

Those who like to comment on the economy tell us this coming year will be tough - there may be odd rises in house prices, the economy and employment, but they'll be "blips" unfortunately and the overiding opinion is that we are not out of recession yet - and not likely to be for a while.
All we can do is be frugal, pay down our debts, try to get together a crisis fund, budget well, do our price research on things we have to buy, make do and mend, grow our own fruit and veg, barter with our neighbours - and, most of all, laugh, love and be happy!

Happy Frugal Christmas will now take a break until the festive preparations start again - but don't forget you can carry on getting frugal tips and info at Happy Frugal Year!

MERRY FRUGAL CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY FRUGAL NEW YEAR!

2009-12-24T14:12:00.002Z

Before I give myself a day or two off for Christmas - I thought I'd just tell you about some emails I've already had today, telling me about the sales.
It's sale time - don't go out, don't do any more wrapping, or present buying (just kidding) instead, take a look at the online sales at Matalan, Debenhams and probably many others. You don't have to pay to park, you don't have to cope with the crowds or queue for a coffee - sit down with your cuppa in your own comfy chair and de-stress for a couple of hours!
Of course, it's much more frugal not to buy anything at all - however, if you have January and February birthdays to buy for like I do (or even next year's Christmas presents?), then there are a few 50% off bargains to be had.
All that said - look carefully at your presents tomorrow - dare I say it? You could consider some careful "re-gifting" - now that is very frugal!
Have a good Christmas!

IT'S NEARLY CHRISTMAS! USE THOSE LEFTOVERS!

2009-12-23T18:47:00.004Z

Well, only one more shopping day until Christmas and, if you're anything like me, all you keep doing is dragging bags of food back into the house! I know though, that none of it will be wasted. In our frugal household we never ever throw food away. There's always something that can be done with leftovers. But before we start with leftovers, don't forget to save your sprout peelings and stalks (sorted to remove any manky bits of course) and make my Sprout Soup - delicious, freezes well and believe me it really does taste good!
Now here's my tips for leftovers:
Scraps, cubes, slices of mixed cheeses from the buffet - grate or crumble into a pastry case with a beaten egg mixed with milk - bake and you have a quiche. Even smaller pieces of cheese can be made into cheese sauce and frozen.
Roast potatoes, parsnips, sprouts, carrots - mash and fry for Bubble n' Squeak, serve with cold meat or fried eggs.
Any other veg, gravy, cranberry sauce - add some water, simmer together for 10 minutes, liquidise and you have a soup meal- eat or freeze for later.
Cold sausage rolls, savouries, bhajis etc from the buffet - reheat thoroughly and serve for a meal with baked beans and chips (not terribly nutritious, I grant you, but once in a while...).
Leftover custard- warm through in the microwave, melt in any of those cheap chocolates you've been given by the tinful, and pour over crumbled leftover Christmas cake or pudding in the bottom of a glass. Cool in the fridge until set.
Bread rolls - warm through for a few seconds in the microwave, butter and serve with bits of cheese, Christmas Chutney, any salad you have lurking in the fridge, one of those celery sticks we've always got left over and some pickled onions - a super Ploughman's Lunch!
I'll let you know if I can think of any more!
Merry frugal Christmas!

MAKE A LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS TREE FOR NOTHING!

2009-12-22T16:26:00.008Z

This is yet another truly frugal Christmas idea - a Christmas tree decoration from an old magazine! That is literally all you need - tape would help a bit and you could always decorate with glitter if you have any.
I have made one for my desk - see pic - and it's sitting on my printer - but actually, I've just realised that I've not done it quite right! Oooops! Edit - I've now redone it (new pic, same mag, just refolded) and it looks a bit more tree-like!
Anyway, for a step by step guide to making your own tree go to Mad Maggie Designs where she'll show you how to do it properly!

MAKE SOME CHRISTMAS TUTTI FRUTTI TRUFFLES!

2009-12-18T17:45:00.007Z

These truffles are sort of like a white chocolate version of Rocky Road, but without the marshmallows. They make a good last minute gift either wrapped in a paper doily trimmed box or packed in a cellophane bag or small jam jar. You can vary the ingredients a bit to use up whatever you have.
Ingredients
200g white chocolate, broken up into smallish pieces.
50g dried cranberries (use sultanas or chopped nuts if you want to be a bit more frugal)
125g unsalted butter (salted will do if it's all you have).
150g green, red and yellow glacé cherries.
5 digestive biscuits smashed in a bag until crumbed (if you don't have digestive, use any plain biscuit).

Method

Line a small square tin with cling film - the tin shouldn't be too big as you will not want the truffle mixture to be any thinner than about 3cm. If your tin is too big, use only one side and fold the cling film over to hold the mixture in place.

Chop the cherries into small pieces.

Melt the chocolate and butter together in a bowl, either carefully in the microwave a few seconds at a time, or over a pan of simmering water.

Mix the cranberries, biscuit crumbs and glacé cherries into the melted chocolate mixture and stir well.

Cover the top of the mixture with clingfilm and press down evenly to level the surface.

Leave to set in the fridge for a few hours, then turn out on to a chopping board and cut up into squares of about 2cm.

You can store the truffles for around 2 weeks in the fridge - if you can resist eating them, that is!

More ideas for Christmas gifts to make HERE!

MAKE A QUICK TABLE DECORATION!

2009-12-17T16:42:00.007Z

Yes, I know lots of craft projects are called quick when they actually aren't, but this really can be done in minutes and makes a bold table decoration with pretty much whatever you have!

All you need is an old round tray, a wreath base (but you can use a wire coathanger if you don't have one or just collect some flexible twigs and tie in a circle), a piece of tinsel (you can mix small scraps and it will still look as effective) and 3 chunky candles of varying heights.

Just wind the tinsel around the wreath evenly, lay it on your tray and group the candles in the centre. Done!

MAKE SOMEONE A GIFT OF ROCKY ROAD!

2009-12-16T16:37:00.003Z

I suppose, for most of us, time is running out to make our home-made frugal gifts, but, unlike knitted, sewn or crocheted gifts, cooking up a gift is so much quicker!

This recipe for Rocky Road is both mouthwatering and good to look at, plus it should make enough for 3 or 4 gifts.

Ingredients:
15 oz of chocolate (milk is good and cheaper, or you could have a mix of dark and milk chocolate).
4 ozs of unsalted butter
3 ozs of digestive biscuits broken up into small pieces (around the same size as the marshmallows)
4 ozs of pink and white mini marshmallows
3 ozs of glacé cherries, quartered

Method:

Mix the biscuits, marshmallows and glacé cherries in a bowl.

Melt the chocolate (very carefully in the microwave, a few seconds at a time or in a bowl over a pan of simmering water)

Melt the butter (easiest in the microwave- but don't over cook it, like the chocolate, try a few seconds at a time) and mix it in the chocolate stirring gently to combine.

Stir the biscuits, marshmallows and glacé cherries into the chocolate mixture and mix well.

Transfer the mixture to a square or rectangular dish or baking tin and level the mixture. You want the Rocky Road to be about 2" thick, so don't use too big a dish.

Press down firmly with a spatula or palette knife.

Leave to set in the 'fridge and, when completely cold and set divide up into 1" squares - as the mixture is quite thick, this will give large enough chunks.

Put the Rocky Road into cellophane gift bags if you have them, but it's more frugal to use a small, clean jam jar, tie a ribbon decoratively around the lid and add a gift tag. Don't forget to say what it is on the label! If you have any scraps of fabric you could also cut circles out with pinking shears and cover the pot lids.

Store in a cool place and try not to start eating it!

FREE ON-LINE COLOURING!

2009-12-15T14:48:00.005Z

This site has several interactive on-line colouring pages that your kids can do. It's great (kept me quiet for ages!) and they can print out their work or clear it and start again. There are 19 pots of paint to choose from and all they have to do is click on the colour they want and put the dot at the end of the brush over the section they want to fill with that colour, then click - easy! This is great for developing fine motor skills and mouse control (as well as giving Mum and Dad some peace and quiet!).

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS TO MAKE

2009-12-15T14:35:00.003Z

This site has over 25 Christmas ornaments to make from cheap or free materials. There are loads of snowmen, Christmas trees, mini parcels, reindeer and more - all made from felt, beads and ribbon - there's even a Christmas angel made from coffee filter papers (I think she could do with some decoration and some facial features, though!).
Take a look and gather together some bits and pieces to keep the kids occupied!

FREE CHRISTMAS COLOURING TO KEEP THE KIDS OCCUPIED!

2009-12-15T14:26:00.007Z

If the thought of the schools breaking up this Friday fills you with panic, here's something to keep your little ones occupied for free, while you get on with the Christmas preparations.
There are 8 page sized Christmas themed pdf colouring sheets to print out on this site and there are all the usual suspects: Father Christmas, reindeer, Christmas trees, Christmas stockings, turkey, gingerbread men, toy soldiers etc., etc., - that's got to get you a few minutes peace and quiet!

DON'T PANIC - IT'S NEARLY CHRISTMAS!

2009-12-13T20:29:00.002Z

It's not too late to get everything ready and bought for Christmas - but it is too late to start panicking!
My point is that, if like me, you have lots of fiddly little last minute things to buy and do - then make a list - now.
This list supercedes all previous ones - check them and anything not done or bought, write on your final list.
This final list has to accompany you everywhere, to work, to bed, to the supermarket, to the shopping centre.
Keep it continually updated - check off what you've bought or done or add other tasks/items to it.
Then, if you're anything like me, your panic subsides and you feel in control and calmer - well, that's the theory anyway!
Happy listmaking!

CHOOSE FROM 950 FREE BARBIE KNITTING PATTERNS!

2009-12-13T20:15:00.006Z

I know I'm often posting about knitting patterns - but I just had to share this with you all - whether you knit or not -if you know a little girl with a Barbie doll, you have to take a look at this! Even if you have to print them out and get someone else to knit them for you, these clothes are fabulous! The site has 950 free knitting patterns for Barbie (including Christmas outfits!). There are also patterns for Shelly and Tommy, as well as 100 Bratz knitting patterns and all patterns are offered in several languages (Swedish, Danish, Dutch, English, French, Norwegian and Spanish).

More gift ideas HERE!

THE VICTORIAN FARM

2009-12-11T22:45:00.005Z

For any of you who missed the start tonight of this lovely second series of the Victorian Farm (Friday 9pm, BBC 2), do try and catch it on bbc iplayer- it's a real treat. Episodes 2 and 3 are on Friday the 18th December.
You can also read Henry Stephens' Book of the Farm (the farm bible for the Victorian Christmas team) free HERE and, as an extra Christmas treat, the BBC have put 25 Victorian Christmas activities on their website - an Activity a Day for December, in videos - where our Victorian farmers detail such delights as how to make a keepsake box, mulled wine, Christmas cards, a picture frame, tree ornaments, sugar plums, gifts bags, scrapbooks, a wreath, wrapping paper and much more - all in the true spirit of frugality!
Happy Frugal Victorian Christmas!

KNIT A THREE FRENCH HENS TEA COSY!

2009-12-11T16:51:00.007Z

This cute tea cosy has a Christmas theme, but would be a great gift for anyone who loves or keeps hens. It's quite quick to make, with minimal shaping - but the hens look really good on the top. It's knitted in double knitting yarn, but the main body of the cosy is knitted using 2 strands together, making it much quicker to complete. This method also allows you to use up 2 matching or contrasting colours that you may already have, making it just that little bit more frugal!
More gift ideas HERE!

EASY KNIT TEDDY MADE OUT OF SQUARES!

2009-12-11T16:34:00.008Z

This gorgeous little teddy is knitted in Patons Whisper yarn (or similar eyelash/ fur type yarn) and is just 8 little knitted squares which, very cleverly, don't look that! He just needs 2 x 50g balls of the yarn (which is now often on offer), a scrap of ribbon, small amount of stuffing and safety eyes and nose. This is a good knit for a beginner, (or a quick knit for the experienced knitter) but produces a great finished item. Once you've made one, you can vary the colours and sizes of your creations to make a family of different bears - the choice is endless! More ideas for gifts HERE!

EASY CHOCOLATE FUDGE IN THE MICROWAVE!

2009-12-11T16:24:00.005Z

This chocolate fudge recipe only has 2 ingredients and can be made by melting the chocolate in the microwave - no messing about with bowls over boiling water! It makes enough for two Christmas gifts - so that's got to be frugal! (If you can resist eating it all before Christmas that is!)
Happy frugal cooking!
More gift ideas HERE!

KNIT A CUTE SHELF OR COMPUTER CLOWN!

2009-12-07T20:03:00.002Z

This great little clown is yet another cute gift - ideal to sit on a teenager's shelf or a workmate's computer. Knitted in double knitting you can make it from oddments or plan it around shades of the recipient's favourite colour.
Get your free pattern HERE.
Happy Frugal Knitting!

More ideas for making gifts HERE!

CHRISTMAS TO MAKE, BAKE, SEW AND COLOUR!

2009-12-01T20:13:00.000Z

The Disney Family Fun site has an amazing Christmas section where they have pulled together everything you can imagine for you and your children to make and do this Christmas. There are Christmas recipes, printables, cards to make, decorations to make, gifts to cook and make, colouring in sheets to print off and much more. Most things are made with recycled materials or scraps of fabric or paper and card.
There's plenty to keep the kids occupied this Christmas!
More gifts to make HERE!

HELLO KITTY LOOK-A-LIKE KNITTING PATTERN

2009-11-26T11:56:00.002Z

This lovely little kitten would make a great stocking filler for a little girl and it takes only scraps of pink and white yarn. Get the pattern HERE!

More ideas for Christmas gifts HERE!

MAKE YOUR OWN FESTIVE CANDLE HOLDERS!

2009-11-24T15:52:00.001Z

It's lovely to have candles at Christmas (and it saves on electricity!) and little tea lights are so cheap. If you run out of holders it's easy to improvise with a pretty jam jar, scraps of ribbon, holly, ivy or cake decorations!
My small candle holder was put together from a French yoghurt jar (yes the French put their yoghurt in glass jars!) with some ribbon I saved from last year's Christmas cake, ivy I picked from a wall near my house and a decorative flower, also from a past Christmas cake.
The larger candle holder I made from a Bon Maman jam jar (I sense a French theme emerging here!) more ribbon, decoration and ivy all from the same source. It really didn't take me very long and I suspect that more elaborate decorations could be made given more time and materials, but these frugal ones work very well for me!

FREE KNITTING PATTERN TO KNIT THE LITTLE SACK BOY!

2009-11-24T15:43:00.000Z

Something to cheer up all those knitters out there! This little toy makes you smile just when you see the pattern! What a cutie! Pity I don't have anyone to knit him for yet! Knit the little Sackboy, from the LittleBIGPlanet™ game and make some lucky person out there a great Christmas present!
Get the pdf. HERE!
More ideas for Christmas gifts to make HERE!

FREE KNITTING PATTERN FOR MR BEAN'S BEAR!

2009-11-24T15:38:00.001Z

This knitting pattern is just like Mr Bean's funny old bear - and would make a fun Christmas present for someone who likes Mr Bean.
Get your free pattern HERE.

More Christmas gifts to make HERE!

FREE KNITTING PATTERN FOR THE ITV DIGITAL (AND PG TIPS) MONKEY!

2009-11-24T15:32:00.002Z

Do you remember the Digital Monkey on the tv ads? He seems to have made a great come-back on the PG tips ads with his old friend Johnny Vegas! Well, you can still get the pattern to knit him! Unfortunately, there's no photo on the pattern, but if you've forgotten what he looks like, (how could you!) take a look HERE and HERE !
If you want to get your needles out and create your own Digital Monkey to make someone a fun Christmas present, get the pdf instructions HERE !

10 WAYS TO SAVE EVEN MORE ENERGY OVER CHRISTMAS!

2009-11-23T13:39:00.000Z

Over Christmas and the New Year it's probably fair to say we use much more gas and electricity than usual. We have visitors, we are at home more, we cook more and use more lamps, Christmas lights and tree lights. So to try and cut your winter fuel bills here are 10 ways to save energy:

When you have visitors, turn your heating thermostat down - more bodies means more heat, so you don't need the temperature so high! Turn it down once everyone has arrived- that way the house will be welcoming and warm!
When your tree lights are on, turn off the main room light. You probably don't need it. Remember to turn any lights off anywhere in the house when you leave a room.
Make sure all your lamps and overhead lights have energy saving bulbs in them- they are expensive, but save you electricity and are usually guaranteed for around 8 years.
Cut down the length of time your Christmas lights are on - put them on when it gets dark and remember to switch them off when you go to bed.
When cooking, use the smallest appliance you can, like the microwave, slow cooker or grill and pack your oven full with several dishes when you do use it.
Keep lids on saucepans to cook food quicker (using less energy).
Try not to buy battery driven items, or invest in a charger and rechargeable batteries - it really will save you money in the long-term.
Keep room doors shut so that radiator thermostats can work properly, turning off the radiator when the room has reached the set temperature.
If you are going away turn off all those appliances that are sneaky electricty users e.g. the DVD player, radio alarm clocks and the microwave (do you really need another clock in the kitchen anyway?)
Only use the washing machine or dishwasher when you have a full load - probably not a problem over Christmas!

Happy Christmas saving!

SAVE ENERGY OVER CHRISTMAS!

2009-11-23T13:30:00.000Z

We all like pretty Christmas lights - they brighten the dark winter days up to Christmas and cheer us up, but, they do use a lot of our very expensive electricity! I have recently been reading about a way to economise on this - LED lights!
Now, I'm not suggesting you bin your old lights and rush out and buy LED ones, (not very frugal!) but if yours happen to need replacing this year, perhaps you should think about the LED alternative before you buy.
LED lights use 90% less electricity than conventional lights so it's got to be worth thinking about!

A REALLY FRUGAL STOCKING FILLER FOR SMALL KIDS!

2009-11-19T12:10:00.000Z

If you have a mucky box full of tiny wax crayon stubs that tiny fingers can't really hold, then gather them together (try to group similar colours), break them into even smaller pieces and place in an old bun tin (shaped moulds are even better if you have them) and melt them in the oven at 150 degrees for around 20 minutes (until all lumps are melted), then take out and allow to cool.

If you don't have any old tins that you are willing to sacrifice, then carefully line tins with foil to protect them. You will have new (bigger and easier to hold) crayons to fill the corners of Christmas stockings!
More Christmas gifts to make HERE!

MMMMM! CHRISTMAS CHUTNEY!

2009-11-18T16:26:00.000Z

Well, my Christmas Chutney is made - what about yours? I have to say, I haven't made us much as I would have liked to this year, which may mean I don't give any as gifts! I was lucky enough to be given two carrier bags full of eating apples - I think they were Russets, and they made no difference to the chutney at all (except to the cost!).
I'm also ashamed to say, I've already eaten one jar and started a second - I suppose I should really make some more soon! Of course that's the beauty of chutney - it does taste great if you keep it. I once found a 12-month-old jar at the back of the pantry - it was great! It had a richer stronger flavour, but actually you can make it right up to Christmas Eve and then enjoy it all the year round with cold meat or cheese- mmmmm!
For more Christmas gifts to make click HERE!

MAKE YOUR OWN CHOCOLATE SELECTION PACKS!

2009-11-18T15:53:00.002Z

You know those chocolate selection packs that seem to be popular every Christmas? Well, have you ever really considered how much chocolate you are actually getting for your money? You get tiny packets of chocolate buttons, tiny fudge bars, tiny chocolate bar, in fact, tiny everything - and they're not cheap. Why not make your own this year? Think creatively - instead of a load of plastic packaging, put your chosen selection of chocolate bars inside a mug, glass, make-up bag or pencil case (depending on the recipient!). The size and shape of most chocolate bars is ideal for this and you can buy mugs, glasses, pencil cases and make-up bags in pound shops - or even charity shops! Depending on your budget, you can also pop in something else that is small (keyring, lipstick, batteries, biro, little fluffy toy - the list is endless).Then at least you are giving something useful and fun!
More frugal gifts to make HERE!
Happy frugal present making!

CHRISTMAS PERSPECTIVE!

2009-10-24T23:00:00.001+01:00

Yes, the horrible truth is that it is only a few weeks to Christmas and, as the TV pundits have just told as, many people only have 2 more pay days before then. Of course, quite a few unlucky people don't have any paydays at all, which somehow puts it all into perspective for me. I am already tired of the TV ads for expensive perfumes or even more expensive gifts from wherever and soon we'll be treated to adverts of tables full of party food, telling the lie that we will somehow be inadequate if we don't invite the neighbours in for drinks and piles of finger food!
Listen carefully to this advertising and you will soon realise that it tries to convince us that everyone else is buying their kids an X-box or whatever the latest "must-have" toy is this year. Well, I think many people won't have the cash to do it - and I hope those people don't use their credit card instead. I believe our children will grow up into better and more resourceful adults if they understand that there are things that their parents just cannot afford, that money has to be earned and that if you lose your job, or aren't very well paid, then some of these things just cannot be bought. But they can be saved for.
I'm reluctant to admit that cynical advertising, capitalising on Christmas, almost makes me want to cancel the whole thing! Actually I'll be starting my Christmas shopping soon and I'll be looking out for a bargain or two in the charity shops as well.However, I certainly won't be spending what I can't afford.
Happy Christmas Present Hunting!

10 GREAT NEW CHRISTMAS GIFTS TO KNIT AND CROCHET!

2009-10-12T21:51:00.001+01:00

These lovely Christmas gift patterns are certainly new to me - so I hope you like them. You can choose from Christmas throws and afghans, a lovely little dog's coat, a fairisle jumper, holly slippers, a Christmas stocking, a snowman family to crochet and crochet tree ornaments.
Get your free patterns HERE.
More Christmas gifts to make HERE!

£1 STOCKING FILLERS FOR THE MEN IN YOUR LIFE!

2009-10-01T21:39:00.002+01:00

Yes, it's true, it can be done -I do it every year - buy stocking filler presents from Poundland! There's a sort of an art to buying from Poundland if you don't want to be buying complete tat and these are my tips:

Go with a list - most important. Know what you've already bought for the "stockings" so that you don't overspend.
Do not go on a Saturday!
Try to buy only branded goods if possible, particularly if it's smellies, cosmetics, sweets, etc., Obviously for stationery and "fun" type novelties, it's not so important.

So, what is there to choose from? Well, here's a few of my suggestions:
Deodourant.
DVDs
Packs of novelty socks: The Simpsons
Trainer socks
After Eight chocolate Santas -mmm, yum!
Packs of boot socks, or thermal socks - probably not the best quality, but you never know!
Black leather trouser belt.
Packs of Kodak, Sony or Panasonic batteries.
4 Gang socket.
De-icer.
Windscreen scraper
WD 40.
Superglue.
Twix, Mars, Toblerone or Bounty - all 4 for £1.
Nivea Sensitive for Men shower gel.
Festive Boxer shorts.
24 shot disposable camera with flash.
Mini remote.
USB mouse.
4 port USB hub.
Earphones.
Packs of blank CDs and DVDs.
You will find, of course, that some of these items will sell out quickly, or will not be available at your local Poundland (or perhaps any other!) but it's a matter of persevering with regular forays!
Happy Frugal gift buying!

FREE FASHION DOLL'S PATTERNS TO KNIT FOR CHRISTMAS

2009-09-17T14:49:00.000+01:00

These knitting patterns are great to knit for a little girl with Barbie dolls. You can make a whole new wardrobe for very little outlay and use up your stash - there's even hiking socks for Barbie in this collection and some male and female fashion dolls' clothes of all kinds in this glamorous vintage collection.
Happy Frugal Knitting!
For more frugal gifts to make click HERE!

BRACE YOURSELVES- I'M GOING TO USE THE "C" WORD!

2009-08-10T13:48:00.000+01:00

Yes, Christmas! Well, what were you expecting?I know it's only August, but I'd really like to get in ahead of the supermarkets!! So, while they're all crowing about their "Back to School offers" (when the kids only broke up 3 weeks ago) I'm going to talk frugally about Christmas. At the moment the telly, the Internet, magazines, forums and newspapers are all full of advice on how to shop for food; we are being advised to plan our week's meal menus, check our store cupboards, make a list and then buy only those items needed when we visit the supermarket. I'm going to let you in on a secret - this advice can also be used and applied to your Christmas shopping.
Firstly - make a list - who MUST you buy for? I have a personal rule - I don't buy for more people than I did last year, (unless of course they have been born or married into my family since last year!). This keeps the upward spiral of gift giving in check a little.
Secondly - check your cupboards! If you bought anything last year that you shoved in the back of the wardrobe and found at Easter, or you were given any presents last year that you, your kids or your partner can't use, then think hard- who can you re-gift them to? (Making sure, of course, that it is not the person who gave it to you in the first place- or any of their close relatives!). Assign each re-gift to someone on your list.
Thirdly - make a shopping list of people left to buy for. Keep this list with you (I use one of the note pages in the back of my diary) and keep it up to date as you buy your gifts. Before you buy your first gift - decide on a budget. How many people do you have to buy for? How much can you afford (in total) for gifts - bearing in mind there are potentially several other costly Christmas items to buy (food, decorations, new outfits etc.). Divide this total gift figure by the number of people you have to buy for - and there you have your budget, per person. Of course I know you may want to spend more on your husband than you do on his nephew, for example, but now is when you make those adjustments to your budget.
Fourthly - start looking in the charity shops now- there are already plenty of "new" gifts to be had - this week I've seen a soft toy kit (£1.25 and unopened), a lovely Rowan knitting booklet (25p and looked new) and several gorgeous chunky bangles in wood and metal (all 75p each and looking like new). Just keep visiting your local charity shops once a week and you're bound to pick up some bargains. In this way some of the last minute stress is taken out of gift shopping and, when we get stressed and in a flat panic that at the last minute we won't get anything at all, we spend much, much more. Be warned- to fail to plan is to plan to fail - to give yourself a frugal Christmas!

LAST FEW CHRISTMAS MONEYSAVERS!

2008-12-31T17:55:00.000Z

Well, there are only a few "days of Christmas" left - so here's my round up of Christmas moneysaving:

as you take down your cards, put aside those that can be cut up into neat rectangles and hole-punched for next year's gift labels
as you pack away your decorations check any that are tatty or worn out - get round the shops quick to buy new ones reduced in the sales (but only if you can really afford it)
check out the sales for next year's gifts (again only if you are not in debt for this Christmas)
make a list of birthdays coming up and see if there are sale bargains to be had for gifts
buy crackers, paper Christmas cards etc while it's cheap - who knows how hard up we may be next Christmas? Today I've bought three 8metre rolls of Christmas wrapping paper for £1.94 and a box of 12 good crackers for £3.50- and a set of 3 photo albums in a slip cover (new and still shrink wrapped) from the charity shop, for 50p!
as you tidy up all your Christmas gifts - put aside those you know you will not use and either sell them on ebay, recycle them as gifts for next Christmas (but make a note of who gave them to you!) or send them to the charity shop.

Lastly, if this Christmas has been a financial nightmare, start thinking about next year - and save, save, save. Clear your debts as soon as possible, if you don't have one, start a savings account (ISA first) and put something (however small) into it every month.
Make this the year you achieve whatever it is that you want to - lose debt, lose weight, save for that bigger house, get the new job whatever it is - give it a go and, most important of all have a
Happy New Year! and keep up with more moneysaving, frugal ideas all year round at Happy Frugal Year.
See you all in Christmas 2009 (well, sometime in November anyway!)

THE HAM IS COOKED!

2008-12-24T16:19:00.000Z

Well, for those of you who may be interested in my salty ham-soaking, curing saga - it's all done! Check out the picture! Washed (and no it didn't smell off!), soaked in fresh water, boiled, then roasted in muscovado sugar and Guinness - yes, may seem strange, but mmmmm! - don't knock it 'till you've tried it! We have yet to slice and eat it - but we have cut off a small slice "to taste" - well, somebody had to check it was edible! It tastes like ham, is very, very good, but does not have that bright pinky red colour that ham or bacon has when it's pumped full of "curing chemicals"! So, we may just be trying this out again. I would sooner do it my way (or rather Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's) than eat more of those dreaded chemicals! Incidentally, half our cured pork joint has been frozen for later!
HAPPY FRUGAL CHRISTMAS!

Don't forget that now the festive season is nearly over, you can keep up with my frugal activities all year round at Happy Frugal Year! or sign up to my regular newsletter (starting in the new year) in the blue box down on the left.

WAIT! DON'T THROW THOSE SPROUT PEELINGS AWAY!

2008-12-22T20:25:00.000Z

Yes, that's right don't throw away all those Christmas sprout peelings - not even on the compost heap! They make delicious soup - even for those sprout haters! As you peel your sprouts, just pick off the worst, brownish, bits and throw the good outer leaves and any stalk that's good, into a bowl to keep. If you can't make the soup straight away, wash and drain the peelings and keep in a bowl in the fridge for a day or so until you are ready to use them. The only other ingredients you need are an onion, a stock cube, sugar and some butter or oil.
Yesterday I spent what seemed like hours, peeling sprouts for Sunday dinner and then even more to blanche and freeze for Christmas lunch. I would normally buy sprouts on Christmas eve and cook fresh on the day, but I was lucky enough to get some really good, cheap sprouts on Friday and so that they could be eaten on Christmas day, I had to freeze them.
So, I've just made my sprout soup this evening, and even though I didn't quite have the 300g of peelings that the recipe calls for, it's made 4 portions anyway - 2 for lunch tomorrow and 2 to freeze for a quick lunch with garlic bread sometime over the holiday.
Here's the recipe for sprout soup - give it a go!

CHEAP (OR FREE) CHRISTMAS FUN TO KEEP THE KIDS QUIET!

2008-12-19T16:04:00.000Z

Here are some links to some Christmas sites that are full of ideas for things that kids can make and do at Christmas.
It may just buy you some free time to do all those last minute Christmas jobs!

Christmas decorations to make

Christmas games, recipes, printables, decorations to make and more!

Stories to read, colour or just listen to, onscreen games, cards to make, recipes, puzzles and much more!

Blue Peter archive makes - plenty of Christmas makes plus the most famous factsheet of all -Tracy Island!

Blue Peter Things to Do

Happy Frugal Peace and Quiet!

OVER 100 FRUGAL CHRISTMAS GIFTS TO MAKE NOW!

2008-12-16T19:27:00.002Z

Even though we are only 9 days away from the big day, if you have an evening or two to spare (HaHa!) then you have time to make a frugal Christmas gift. My recipe for Christmas Chutney is quick to make - it's the peeling and coring of the apples that takes the most time! The chutney can be made right at the last minute, although of course it improves with keeping.
If you have a little more than a couple of evenings to make something, then have a go at knitting some cute little toys with yarn from your stash or perhaps a pair of these wrist warmers. I'm not very quick at crochet, but I know it can be a bit faster to make something crocheted than something knitted, so if crochet is your thing you should be able to create something from this collection of hand warmers, scarves and slippers in one or two hours!
Now, I know I just said knitting takes longer, but it all depends what the project is. I've seen loads of hand knitted hot water bottle covers in shops and on-line this year and some of them are very, very expensive. They don't take much yarn, and if you need a few evenings where you just want to sit in front of the telly and relax with your knitting, these cute hot water bottle covers could be just the thing to get clicking on.
If you really think you've got no time at all - then the simple ideas for these gifts in a jar could be what you need or even these slightly more elaborate recipe type gifts in a jar. Make a list of the ingredients and when you're next at the shops, pick up what you need. They really only need minutes to assemble. Perhaps the hardest thing is thinking up what to put in them!
Talking of being short of time, if you have double-sided tape and thin card then these printable stocking fillers are even quicker to make - and you won't even need to leave the house!
Of course- if you're all organised and have a couple of days to make some more gifts, you could make some of these mini Christmas cakes! They will need a day to cook, a day to marzipan and then a day to ice, but you do still have the time!
Happy Frugal Gift-making!
For more frugal gifts to make click HERE!

CURE YOUR OWN HAM FOR CHRISTMAS!

2008-12-14T20:40:00.000Z

I'm just in the process of curing our own ham for Christmas dinner. It's a 4 kilo (probably much bigger than we need) half leg of pork tunnel boned from our butcher. We have it steeping in a salt solution containing crushed, dried juniper berries, cloves, bay leaves and peppercorns. It must soak for around 3 -4 days per kilo, so you still have time to do a small piece now.
When it's finished soaking in brine we have to soak it in fresh water for 24 hours then boil it. We are then going to roast it with muscovado sugar and Guinness afterwards - we'll let you know how it turns out after Christmas!
For the recipe and much more all the year round frugality, visit
Happy Frugal Year!

REALLY GOOD, VERY FRUGAL TREE CHOCOLATES!

2008-12-10T20:59:00.000Z

Last week on my Friday shopping trip, I was looking for tree chocolates. I don't buy very many, and I do like good chocolate so I usually buy Lindt Lindor chocolate truffle tree decorations. The trouble is, there are only 6 (3 bells, 3 baubles) in a packet - not really enough to put on my tree! So I usually buy 2 packets - getting pricey now, and now this year they are really expensive - £2.99 for one packet which has 120g of chocolate in total! I hesitated and then saw almost right next to them, a box of Lindt Lindor assorted truffles - these are just the same chocolate, are slightly smaller, round and wrapped like a sweet, but cost a more frugal £3.99 for a total chocolate weight of 337g! And there are 29 in my box, in gold, red, copper and black foil wrappers. Therefore the price per 100g, for a cost comparison, is:

Tree chocolates £2.49

Boxed chocolates £1.18

Now I'm going off to tie each one up with gold or silver curling ribbon and hang on my tree!

EASY CHRISTMAS DECORATION

2008-12-04T21:05:00.000Z

A really easy Christmas decoration requiring no special equipment, glue or tools! Make it with whatever you have in your decorations box.My Christmas decoration was made with a plain everyday vase (given to me a previous Christmas, filled with pot pourri!), just filled with gold baubles, tinsel and tree beads. You can just pile them in, pretty much anyhow, but try to keep the bauble loops in towards the centre (especially if they are broken or chipped glass ones)and let the beads spill over like jewels spilling from a casket. This is useful for using small lengths of "tired" old tinsel as, when it's all piled in, it still looks good. I've seen collections of cheap Christmas baubles and beads in the charity shops recently, but it's easy to just use what you have and make up your own colour combinations. My other one in a different room is a glass terrarium filled with all silver and blue baubles and tinsel, along with white satin baubles and pearls sprinkled in. You can also use any shallow glass dish, or a glass cakestand to hold your baubles and tinsel - and the joy of this decoration is that if anyone knocks it or the beads slip out - all you have to do is pile it all back in!

MAKE YOUR OWN TOASTED SEED NIBBLES FOR CHRISTMAS

2008-12-02T17:42:00.000Z

These seeds are tasty, look shop bought and are really frugal. They are great for parties, pre dinner drinks or just to nibble in front of the telly and - they’re good for you!

All you need is equal amounts of sesame, pumpkin and sunflower seeds mixed in a bowl (if you have any other favourite seeds then throw them into the mix as well). Use a large frying pan to gently dry fry the seeds on a low heat (you may have to do this in smallish batches, depending on the size of your pan) and keep turning them over with a spatula until you can see the pumpkin seeds have turned more brown than green. Take off the heat and sprinkle generously with soy sauce, stir well until all the seeds are evenly coated. Leave to cool, store in an airtight container and serve in small bowls, dotted around your room, or on the drinks table.

These are very moreish, so I don't make them until just before they're needed - as they can very quickly disappear before the guests arrive!

Enjoy!

FREE CHRISTMAS STOCKING FILLERS - frugal gifts to make 8

2008-11-29T23:21:00.000Z

Just print out these great little toys and parcel them up with some double-sided tape and you’ve got your stocking filler! All you need is some thickish matt paper to print them on. Choose from pirates, monsters, cute animals and people – or download them all! These are all PDF documents so you will need Acrobat reader (free here) if you don’t already have it.

These little gifts are not only frugally free, they may just buy you some peace and quiet as you snooze after your Christmas lunch!

CHEAP QUICK MEALS FOR OVER CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR

2008-11-28T16:26:00.000Z

Once the big day is over and everyone is thoroughly sick of cold turkey, hot turkey, turkey curry, turkey stew, turkey sandwiches, and you’re tired of cooking, what you need is meals in minutes from the freezer and this is how you do it.
Start in November by picking up reduced garlic bread and garlic flatbreads from the cold cabinet in your supermarket. They are cheap, (I paid 37p recently for a tasty garlic flatbread to serve 2 people) they freeze well and cook from frozen in around 10-15 minutes. While you’re looking at the reduced counter, pick up small tubs of pasta sauce, fresh pasta and tubs of fresh soup. All these will freeze well and will cook from frozen or defrost in your microwave.
If you really want to make the effort, you can serve the pasta in sauce with any salad that you may have – or fry an onion and throw into the sauce with any left over chopped veg or cold, sliced sausage, heat through thoroughly, then serve with garlic bread.
Soup is, well, soup, but look out for flavours that can be put together in case you have to serve more people e.g. mix a carrot soup with a vegetable soup, or a tomato soup with a minestrone. To soften up any stale, left over rolls or bread to accompany the soup (if you’re sick of garlic bread) just buzz it through the microwave for 10-15 seconds (depending on the power of your microwave).
Garlic flat breads and naan breads also make a good stand in for pizzas and can be taken straight from the freezer to use – just lay on a tray, spread with some of your pasta sauce (or plain old ketchup if that’s all you have) sprinkle on a pinch of dried thyme and slice on tomatoes, any olives left over from your Christmas buffet and slices of all those different bits of leftover cheeses from your Christmas cheeseboard! Cook at 200º for around 10- 15 minutes, or until cheese is bubbling. Serve with salad.
Enjoy!

FRUGAL GIFTS TO MAKE FOR CHILDREN

2008-11-25T16:22:00.001Z

For all those lucky frugal crafters with little people to make Christmas presents for, here in the links below are a lovely selection of toys, dolls and teddy bears to delight them. They make great gifts and will also sell well at Christmas fairs!
Happy Frugal Knitting!
Bow Tie Bunny
Stripey Clown
Mr Bean style teddy bear
Amy Doll
Knitted Father Christmas
Tiny Knitted Dolls with clothes and accessories
Audrey Hepburn doll
Marilyn Monroe doll
Knitted Toy monkey
Jean Greenhowe's Toybox Snowman
Pentagon woolly ball
Clever Pointy Ball in Sock wool
Cute bunny with pouch for Sweeties!

For more frugal gifts to make click HERE!

FREE CHRISTMAS CROSS STITCH PATTERNS for Frugal Christmas Gifts 6

2008-11-20T19:08:00.000Z

For those of you who are great with a needle these free cross stitch patterns can be used for all sorts of projects like pictures, pin cushions, Christmas cards, bookmarks, hanging decorations, Christmas stockings etc.
Choose from the many pretty designs in the links below.

Christmas Bells, Holly leaves, Christmas ornament, Merry Christmas greeting, Noel design and Christmas Angels.

Two Santas

Computer Santa, penguin, angels, candy canes, Christmas Sampler.

Angels, wreaths, gingerbread men, snow scenes, stockings, bells, tree and a Victorian Noel sampler

Cross stitch Santa Bookmark

Just loads of angels!

40 Christmas designs, too many to name!

Cute Angels, Merry Christmas, Joy, Noel

Snowman with slogan

Candles, robin, carol singer, candy sticks, Rudolph, Holly

Poinsettia

Lanterns, hedgehogs, snowmen, shortbread, trees, florals, holly & ivy and so much more!

Happy Frugal Stitching!

For more Christmas gifts to make click HERE!

MAKE YOUR OWN 3D SNOWFLAKE DECORATION

2008-11-17T19:21:00.000Z

Make this lovely, professional looking snowflake decoration from 6 A4 sheets of plain old white printer paper. It measures about 54 cm across the widest part and costs very little. All you need is paper, scissors, stapler, sticky tape and a length of thread or parcel ribbon to hang it up with. Of course you can make it out of any sort of paper you like, for example, paper backed foil sheets in gold or silver, but – it is a snowflake – so plain white is just fine! It looks complicated but that's the great thing about it - it's really not!

Click HERE for simple clear instructions, photos and a how-to video and get frugal crafting!

FRUGAL CHRISTMAS GIFTS TO MAKE 5

2008-11-13T20:14:00.001Z

Whoops! I think I’ve gone knitty mad! I really, really want some wrist warmers, so I can drive and be warm – I’ve found so many, I don’t know which to knit (that’s if I ever get any time to actually do any knitting!) At the moment I’m like those people with flashy kitchens who get their cooking rocks off by watching Jamie on TV but never do any cooking! I just drool over knitting patterns and gorgeous yarns!

Anyway here they are, some free patterns for whatever you may call them – wristwarmers, gauntlets, fingerless gloves, armbands - whatever!

Get knitting!

Small wristwarmers with a tiny twisted cable.

Really long gauntlets with a large cable.

Longer, lacy rib wristwarmers

Short fluffy,leaf patterned hand/wrist warmers

Frilly, beaded wristwarmers

Slither- long, long, buttoned up arm warmers!

Leopard print wristwarmers!

Fairisle pattern wristwarmers- worked from a chart.

Wristwarmer pattern generator- enter your wrist size, gauge and needle size and generate your own pattern!

Easy, ribbed wristwarmers beginners’ project

Braid cable wristwarmers

For more frugal gifts to make click HERE!

FRUGAL GIFTS TO MAKE 4

2008-11-11T20:16:00.000Z

Beer mug gift for the men

Buy a pint beer mug from the supermarket and fill with wrapped chocolates – something like Roses, Celebrations or Quality Street, then wrap in cellophane and trim with ribbon. For example, Argos are selling a pack of 4 Guinness glasses for £7.49 – useful if you need to make four gifts, then buy your sweets in bulk in a huge tin (they’re often on offer this time of the year as well) and you can save even more. Cellophane wrap can be expensive, so try to plan and use it for as many gifts as you can.

Gift in a mug – for anyone!

This can be a very personalised gift, or a sweetie gift. Buy a largish mug, suitable for your recipient and fill with wrapped chocolate truffles – if you can make chocolates, so much the better. Or you can go retro and fill the mug with old-fashioned sweets from an on-line shop such as www.aquarterof.co.uk.

If sweets are not appropriate, fill the mug with small gifts like lip balm, nail polish, eye shadows etc for ladies, tiny notepads, rubbers and pens for kids or travel size shower gels, shampoos etc for the men. It can be a bit of a challenge to find small enough stuff, but it can stick up out of the mug and still be wrapped in the cellophane.

For more frugal gifts to make click HERE!

FRUGAL CHRISTMAS GIFTS TO MAKE 3

2008-11-07T15:44:00.000Z

I think the idea of a "Gift in a Jar" may have originated in America, but it certainly seems to have gained in popularity now. These gifts can be tailored to suit the recipient exactly - your only difficulty may be getting the right size jars! Remember to start saving them for next Christmas! They are great for kids to help with and could make a lovely teacher gift.
I think the secret is, as always, in the presentation, you need clean, shiny jars, beautiful ribbons, or fabric scraps and good, professional looking labels. Some of the free ideas in a jar I've found in the links below, even provide you with printable recipe labels! Go for it!

M & M Cookies in a jar.
Almost every kind of jar gift you can think of (mostly food).
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut cookies in a jar.
Chocolate Brownies in a jar

Some non-food ideas! These are for the crafty people in your life and as the component pieces are all small, you only need tiny jars!
Easy to make flower bead and ribbon necklace - just put the components in a small jar with a copy of the instructions!
Funky chunky bead bracelet.
Crochet wire bead necklace.

You can make endless variations to the crafty jars and once you get started - your own ideas will probably come thick and fast.
Happy Frugal Christmas!
For more Christmas gifts to make click HERE!

FRUGAL CROCHET GIFTS TO MAKE 2

2008-11-04T15:52:00.002Z

For those of you who can crochet I've found a few free patterns for frugal Christmas gifts.! I can only manage a granny square or two and as for following a pattern, well - I've never managed it! But still, if you can, these gifts mainly only take a small amount of yarn, so shouldn't be too expensive - or take too much time!
Take a look at the links below and get crocheting!
Gorgeous love knot lacey scarf takes just a 40g ball of double knitting yarn.
Prettty mohair handwarmers with flower trim.
Cute sock slippers
Pointy slippers
Sleepy Sarah Amigurumi doll
Filet crochet scarf
A fabulous collection of all kinds of vintage crochet patterns

For more Christmas gifts to make click HERE!

FRUGAL CHRISTMAS GIFTS TO MAKE PART 1

2008-10-21T20:39:00.000+01:00

As we’ve still got time to make some Christmas gifts (very frugal and very much in the true spirit of Christmas) I’m busy hunting up ideas right now.

I want to make gifts that look good, and are better and more personalised than anything I could get for that person in the shops (and cheaper!).

My first find is for the knitters amongst us. I've recently seen lots of hot water bottle covers in the shops - they seem to be popular right now, so I think I'll have a go at one! Knitting is very “in” at the moment and hand knitted gifts are popular. You don’t have to be an expert, experienced knitter, just pick a pattern you know you can do - better a simple pattern, beautifully knitted in stocking stitch or garter stitch and perfectly finished off, than a poorly produced complicated Aran cable with mistakes or lace with poor tension.

I like to choose a good quality yarn not just the correct ply (aran, double knitting, chunky, 4-ply etc). If I’m making something special that does not require a fancy “fun” yarn – I try to use a good quality wool-mix, machine washable yarn. If I’m making smaller items (scarves, wrist warmers, mitts etc) it hopefully, will not be too expensive. Look in your stash – I had a good look through mine yesterday (after dragging the huge storage box from the back of my wardrobe!) and now have a good idea of what I have and will choose my patterns accordingly. Luckily, most of my stash comes from charity shops, great yarns that I’ve picked up over the last couple of years. Much of it is still in original plastic bags and with the ball bands. I like to have these for the correct washing instructions and to give me the detailed fibre make-up of the yarn.

There are of course, cheap versions of hot water bottle covers to be had on the high street, but they are usually acrylic and cost anything from around £8-£10. But look for a good quality one and they cost from £25 (Cath Kidston) to £55 (cashmere, but not hand knitted). To get some inspiration for customising your patterns have a look here.

So – on to the (FREE!) patterns in the links below. I am thinking I may knit one of these hot water bottle covers and then personalise it with some wool embroidery or crochet flowers. Get Frugal - get knitting!

Classic cover with one centre cable and “polo” neck.

Cable rib cover knitted in the round with eyelets to thread with ribbon and gather up.

Plain hot water bottle cover with button fastening.

2 colour patterned cover with drawstring i-cord fastening.

A lovely decorated cover in crochet.

For more Christmas gifts to make click HERE!

CHRISTMAS WINE GLASSES - QUICK!

2008-10-15T16:43:00.000+01:00

If you've got guests coming for Christmas dinner and your glass collection amounts to a few old Nutella jars, some of those free greenish coke tumblers and a chipped beer mug - you'd better get moving! Now is the time get along to the charity shops and look for sets of stemmed wine glasses.
If you can get some that are "cut" in decorative patterns, so much the better as candles or fairy lights set them twinkling beautifully. Plain glass can look worn or scratched, so try to get some kind of patterned glasses.
Check the glasses thoroughly by close inspection and running your fingers all around the rims, base and stems - I've often found chips that way - even when I have been wearing my specs!
If you can't get enough of one design for all of your dinner guests (go for at least 8-10 if you ever see that many as it allows for breakages) then try to get several sets of 4 in the same size and when you lay your table put the two different designs alternately around it. I keep small bows and tinsel trimmings from Christmas Crackers and they look very cute tied around the base of the wine glass stems.
I was very lucky last year and found several of these glasses pictured, in two different charity shops. They don't look as if they've ever been used (I have a feeling they were given away with petrol, years ago!).
Happy frugal Christmas!

ORGANISING YOUR CHRISTMAS PRESENT LIST

2008-10-13T13:59:00.000+01:00

I used to think that buying Christmas presents early and, possibly even wrapping them up, took all the fun out of Christmas, but now with the Credit Crunch looming over us, I don’t think I can afford any silly sentiments like that! The earlier I start planning and buying, the more money I save. If you are buying “gift” sets from anywhere, you will find that the cheaper items (under £5!!) will sell out quickly, making even the 3 for 2 deals expensive. So I’m starting now.

I’ve actually already started, albeit in a small way, by buying some reduced pressies in Superdrug – 2 men’s belts with bottle opener buckles, each belt in its own box (they’re probably left over from last Christmas!) and costing £1.99! I never know what to buy the men in the family, so this is a start!

I’m also starting to look out for small stocking presents for my sons – these are usually 2 for 1 offers on deodorant, shower gel, chocolate oranges, and other sweets. I also buy packs of socks and boxers and split them up (and yes, they are always pleased with them as they hate spending their money on underwear!). I also start looking for small fun things in charity shops - look amongst the bric-a-brac for small gifty bits that often cost under a pound. Have a look at two little things I found last year!

The first thing I always do as soon as (or before) I’ve bought the first present, is to make a list of everyone I have to buy for – I use a page in my diary or a piece of lined file paper folded and taped inside the back cover. Every single time I buy something, I write it on the list – if I don’t do this, I tend to forget what I’ve bought and stuffed under the bed or in the back of the wardrobe, and then buy another present for the same person – not at all frugal! I often put down the price I’ve paid for it too – just to see how much Christmas is really costing me!

Happy frugal bargain hunting!

HOW TO AFFORD CHRISTMAS

2008-10-07T17:39:00.000+01:00

To comfortably afford Christmas it is necessary for us to radically change our view of it. Christmas is 2 days only, but we spend months preparing, stressing and spending for it. The Christmas present buying aspect is representative of the gifts that were brought to Jesus on the day of his birth, so our gifts to friends and family should also be representative; a kind thought, a considered gift – but not a huge amount of money spent. If you have friends and relatives who try to outdo you every year in the expensive buying of presents – then let them. Don’t join in. This “keeping up with the Jones’s” mentality is not only “un-green”, wasteful and misguided, it is just plain wrong. Even without the present Credit-Crunching, recessive times, those with debts cannot afford to make them bigger just to “have a good Christmas”. If that so-called “good” Christmas sees us in January broke and with even more credit card debt which takes the rest of the year (or more!) to pay off – then that can never be a “good” Christmas. You could tell everyone that you are trying to be debt free by the end of 2010 and so will be buying very small presents, or even making them. Tell them also not to spend too much on you – I find this helps both parties. But if they go ahead and spend far more than you do – well, that’s their business – you did warn them! Now is the time to think carefully about how much you can really afford. Make a list of everyone you have to buy for and calculate how much (ideally) you would like to spend. If you have 20 people to buy for and you think you should spend £10 on each of them – do you actually have £200 cash (not credit) to spare, or will you at least have it by the end of November? If the answer is no, then you have some more thinking to do. Happy Frugal Christmas!

FRUGAL GIFT TAGS

2008-10-06T20:42:00.001+01:00

If you didn’t make your gift tags from last year’s Christmas cards, then all is not lost. You can print them off from the internet, start here and here or just use a search engine to find free printable Christmas tags.

You can add a bit of personal touch with glitter glue or gold and silver pens,

then punch a hole in the corner and tie with parcel ribbon, but remember, if you have to go and buy thin card for your printer, it may be cheaper to just buy a pack from a pound shop!

The free option (for Christmas 2009) is to cut up this year’s cards in January and pack them away with your left over Christmas cards, wrapping paper and ribbon all ready for next year!