thrifty Christmas

Thrifty. Cheap. Inexpensive.  Budgeting.  Whatever you call it, that's the theme of Christmas this year.  

And even if you like to make gifts and decorations, it's not that cheap if you have to buy all the stuff to make them.  The trick is using what you already have around the house.

Nothing says Christmas like a wreath on the door, right?  

This is one I whipped up quickly with some ribbon and a cereal box.  Just open up the cereal box and trace a circular plate and cut it out.  You can use something to trace a smaller circle for the hole in the middle, or just eyeball it like I did.  Once you have your cardboard wreath cut out, just wrap your ribbon around it.  Add a bow or maybe hot glue some wooden ornaments to it, and you have a brand new wreath!

Now, I'm not sure it would hold up to the elements.  Our door is on a covered front porch.  But you maybe able to use it inside somewhere if your door is not protected from the rain and snow.

And now for a present to make:  This is our favorite thing right now....LETTER PILLOWS!  And it all came about by accident.  We had only four dollars in the bank and a birthday party to go to for twin boys and no presents!  My cousin suggested we make something.  (Thanks, Elizabeth!)  

I didn't know what to make tween twins...(say that 5 times fast).

But pinterest came through with this idea that we turned into these pillows.

But we had to make them just a little bit cooler with a pocket on the back.  It could fit a stuffed animal, a book, even a tablet or iPod.

And now everybody wants one!  Luckily, we have two old sofa cushions filled with stuffing that I've been waiting to use on some project.

And lastly, here's a simple kettle corn recipe that's been fun to make. 

1/4 cup canola oil

1/2 cup popping corn

1/4 cup sugar

Use a large pot with a lid, add the oil to medium heat, plus three popcorn kernels.  When those three pop, you know the oil is hot enough.  Quickly add the rest of the popcorn, and the sugar then cover.  Now comes the fun part:  Let it sit on the burner for 3-5 seconds, then carefully shake the pot with it's lid on for 3-5 seconds, alternating until it's all popped.  If you don't shake it, it will burn.  You'll get a little workout before you eat it!  

Once it's done, add salt and transfer to another bowl just in time to watch your movie.

(FYI, you can pop plain kernels in a brown lunch bag in the microwave, too.  Add just enough popcorn to cover the bottom of the bag (maybe 1/4 cup), fold the top of the bag over twice and hit the popcorn button on your microwave.  It's just like microwave popcorn minus the bad for you stuff.  Then you can add salt and whatever else you like on your popcorn. Yum!)