frugal christmas gifts

Free Christmas Printables – Christmas Craft Ideas – Printable Christmas Crafts

Posted by Lin on November 21, 2011 · Leave a Comment

Printable Christmas cupcake toppers

The economy has been rough lately, which could have the potential to put a damper on the holidays. But that’s only if you let it. There are actually plenty of low- and no-cost ways you can bring your family together during the holidays, using free Christmas printables and a little creativity.

In the past, homemade Christmas crafts usually consisted of pencil holders made with orange juice cans, crepe paper snowflakes or anything with macaroni glued all over it. But for Internet savvy parents, those days are gone. There are now a wide array of printable holiday craft projects you can download from the Web. Just print and follow the instructions. And many of the printables are so versatile, so you can even use them in ways beyond that which their original designer intended.
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Christmas Spending – How to Stop Christmas Gift Giving Exchanges

Posted by Lin on October 4, 2010 · 4 Comments

Christmas spending predictions for the 2010 Christmas holiday season says 43 percent of American shoppers plan to spend less money this year than they did in ‘09, while only 11 percent plan to spend more, according to America’s Research Group. Founder and CEO of America’s Research, C. Britt Beemer, says “Pessimism among Americans about the upcoming Christmas season is off the charts”.

Consumers responding to the research group’s polled survey gave political, financial and personal reasons as to why their Christmas spending habits this holiday season will be less this year than previous years. Reasons given include massive government debt and unhappiness with the direction the country is heading with current political leaders, while many families continue to struggle just to make ends meet.
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Last Minute Christmas Gifts Sale: Top Magazines for $5.00 or $10.00

Posted by Lin on December 21, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Looking for the perfect last minute Christmas gift for someone this holiday season, but running out of time? Magazine subscriptions make great xmas gifts for men, women, teens and children, especially when they’re on SALE. Plus, you can buy a subscription as a gift today, and instantly print out a gift card to let them know about their gift. Magazine subscriptions make great stocking stuffer gifts too!

This week only, the magazines listed below are all on sale for either $5.00 or $10.00.

PLUS! Take and extra $5.00 Off at Checkout and get an instant $5.00 off of 130 of your favorite magazine subscriptions –just add the eligible magazines to your cart, and you’ll see the discounts automatically applied at checkout. Shop for magazines with a $3.00 or $10.00 discount, too–offer expires December 31.
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Most Popular Christmas Toys 2009-Hot New Toys For Kids Christmas

Posted by Lin on September 19, 2009

Christmas 2009 is here. Are you ready? Every Christmas holiday season parents ask, “What will be the most popular hot new toys for Christmas this year?” The latest trends in new toys for Christmas correspond closely to the economy, which is why the “Recession Christmas” or frugal Christmas gifts term is often used by people looking for affordable Christmas gifts for their kids and teens.

Toy makers and manufacturers understand that people have less money to spend on Christmas this year and are making smaller versions of large more-expensive toys, with one example being the new mini version of last years big Fur Real dinosaur from the Hasbro Fur Real Friends line of toys.

A hot new trend in toys for 2009 are Eco-friendly, “Green” or recycled toys that are made out of recycled materials to help the environment. Toys made from environmentally friendly materials are called Green Toys, such as the Fuzz That Was by Mary Meyer, which are stuffed toy pets made out of old recycled water bottles.

Green Toys for Kids

An Eco-friendly green toy company in California called The Green Toy Company sells “Made in the USA” toys for kids from 100% recycled materials, including a toy recycling truck, a toy dump truck, indoor gardening kit, jump rope, sand play set, an Ecosaucer, a toy cookware and dining set, toy tool set, a toy dish set, a toy chef set, and a toy tea set – each made from recycled milk bottles.
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Recession Christmas – 12 Frugal Christmas Present Gift Ideas

Posted by Lin on September 7, 2009

Ready or not, the Christmas season is upon us. Stores are stocking up on anything and everything related to Christmas gift-giving, while many families are trying to find ways to survive Christmas during a recession. Christmas may not seem so “Merry” for those affected by job layoffs, home foreclosures and in some cases, outright poverty. Many families are in need of life’s basic necessities, due in part to the economic downturn, and will be in need of Christmas donations from those more fortunate.

According to a survey by Ing Direct, only about half of American adults (54%) plan to spend $300.00 or more on holiday Christmas gifts this year, a 10% decrease from what Americans spent last year during the 2008 Christmas holiday season. The survey results show that only 11% plan to spend between $1 and $100 in 2009 on Xmas gifts, and 23% plan to spend $100-$299, compared to 21 percent last year.

11% of those surveyed don’t plan to spend any money at all on Christmas toys or gifts in 2009, compared to 7 percent in 2008, a 57 percent increase. 14% of parents are giving children smaller Christmas stockings this year, while others are choosing to not fill Xmas stockings at all, and some will just hang the stockings as a Christmas decoration. Older Americans (55 years old and up) show the most dramatic change, with 61% planning to spend $300 or more dollars on gifts this year, compared to 71% from last year.

41% of Americans say saving more and spending less is a top priority for the remainder of the year and beyond. According to Forbes.com, 67% of Americans say they will continue their frugal ways by saving more money and spending less even after the economy recovers. The recession creates a great opportunity to rethink priorities in life, with less focus on luxuries and frivolous spending, and greater importance being placed on real “needs” vs. “wants”.

If you are being frugal by choice or by sheer necessity, Christmas presents a financial challenge for those who are needing a less expensive, affordable Christmas holiday. Here are twelve inexpensive, frugal Christmas gift ideas that won’t break the bank.
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Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas for Xmas 2008

Posted by Lin on December 12, 2008

Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas

Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas for Xmas 2008 Christmas 2008 is fast approaching and if you wait until the last minute to buy Christmas gifts, like on Xmas Eve, you may be out of luck. I have a tendency to forget about buying Christmas music or downloading Christmas music until the last minute, but fortunately Amazon is offering 25 days of FREE Christmas mp3 downloads that even I can’t pass up.

In the true spirit of Christmas giving and to help you find Christmas gifts for those on your list (or gifts for the person “who has everything”), I’d like to offer up a few gift ideas for your consideration.

Candles make a great Christmas gift for candle lovers, and I can personally vouch for Mia Bella Candles as being the best candles I’ve ever had the pleasure to burn.
Gayla is running a Christmas Holiday Shopping Extravaganza that includes gift ideas for her and gifts for him, and gifts for the most difficult person to find gifts for.
Cath Lawson has some unique Christmas gift ideas for business owners to seriously consider this holiday season.
Mrs. Micah sure isn’t stumped about the best Christmas presents for the blogger in your life. That Thesis Theme is sure looking good right about now.
Christine from Weary Parent offers up some holiday gifts for tweens and teens that is sure to please the teens and tweens in your life.
The Art of Manliness gifts for men holiday gift guide is a must read if you are buying gifts for men such as a husband, father, boyfriend, etc.
If you are having a difficult time this Christmas and feeling stressed due to the economy or other reasons, Lynnae has some great low cost ideas for you.
Frugal living is living within your means, or better yet, living below your means even at Christmastime. 50 frugal Christmas gift ideas will definitely help keep your xmas spending reasonable and responsible.