The Thank-You Threat

Posted on January 6, 2013 by Michele Cheplic

First, it was the Santa threat, and now on this 12th day of Christmas, the Feast of the Epiphany, it’s time for the thank-you threat. We have a firm rule in our home regarding Christmas thank-you cards. The notes of appreciation need to be written by the Epiphany. This gives the child recipients more than a week to express their gratitude in words to friends and family members who generously showered them with holiday gifts. My mom was a stickler for thank-you notes, Christmas, birthday and otherwise. In fact, my brothers and I were not allowed to open Christmas gifts … Continue reading →

When the Other Kids Get More

Posted on December 25, 2012 by Mary Ann Romans

How can you deal with the question of why other kids got more “stuff” for Christmas? This article may help. While I think our kids are blessed beyond what my husband and I could have imagined having when we were young, the fact is that their acquisitions probably don’t measure up in number or value to most of their peers. Partially this is because of the area in which we live, a semi-affluent area where parents can and do provide things for their kids that we cannot even if we wanted to do so. So, I am familiar with what … Continue reading →

Upcycle Your Holidays

Posted on December 9, 2012 by Michele Cheplic

If your home is already crammed to the gills with “stuff,” the prospect of adding even more items during the holiday season can make your skin crawl. One way to alleviate this uncomfortable feeling and save money at the same time is to learn the fine art of upcycling. Pinterest has made a fortune from the fad, so there’s no reason you can’t benefit as well. Before heading to the mall to drain your wallet on expensive Christmas-themed paraphernalia, gather your kids and take a tour of your home. Look for items that can transformed into amazing holiday presents and … Continue reading →

This Year Teens Want Cold Hard Cash for Christmas

Posted on December 16, 2009 by Andrea Hermitt

I think the teens in my life (kids, nieces, nephews, my kids’ friends) have been feeling the negative effects of the economy. Their Christmas gift request of choice has been a bit of an indicator. Maybe it’s because we have been less free with money demanding more for the chore money and handing out less just because. Maybe it’s because there are things that they want that they don’t have the heart to ask us for. Perhaps it’s because they have learned to be thrifty shoppers themselves and know they can get alot more for the same money after Christmas. … Continue reading →

Don’t Let Christmas Guilt Cost You More

Posted on December 16, 2009 by Andrea Hermitt

I have been hearing murmurs about Christmas guilt as the big day gets closer. People are second guessing their decisions to not buy for the extended family. People are thinking that just one item may not satisfy their children. People feel bad for leaving out teachers, mail men, co-workers. People are worried about what they will do if someone gives them a gift if they did not give them anything back. It’s enough to make me want to hide in my room until January first. During the last month or perhaps longer most of use frugal people have seriously considered … Continue reading →

Stocking Stuffer No-Nos

Posted on December 7, 2009 by Michele Cheplic

I don’t parent a teenager… it just seems like I do, sometimes. Fortunately, my daughter is young enough that her Christmas wish list wraps around the block, and I’m not forced to rack my brain trying to come up with stocking stuffers I know she will enjoy. This is not the case with my friends who have tweens and teens at home. According to one of my pals, with each passing year she is tempted to pull the plug on the stocking stuffing tradition because she simply can’t come up with worthwhile gifts to cram into her kids’ oversized Christmas … Continue reading →

Sweet Treats for Christmas Gifts

Posted on December 3, 2009 by Dale Harcombe

Nut Caramels Ingredients 4 ounces margarine 8 ounces brown sugar 1 can condensed milk 2 tablespoons golden syrup 1 teaspoon vanilla essence 1 cup walnut pieces Method Melt butter in a saucepan. Add brown sugar, milk and golden syrup. Stir constantly till mixture leave the sides of the saucepan. Add vanilla essence and walnut pieces. Pour into a greased and flowered tin. Mark into squares. When cold cut and wrap in cellophane and you have a simple home made gift for friends or neighbors. Chocolate Nut Fudgies Ingredients 8 ounces raw sugar 2 tablespoons chocolate or cocoa Half cup milk … Continue reading →

Reason to Sing

Posted on December 20, 2008 by Dale Harcombe

What a joy this morning to get back to leading the singing at church along with the other others on the music team. And what a special time to be singing. I loved opening the service with Joy to the World, followed by O Come All You Faithful (a slight modernization of words from Ye.) Even lovelier was the elderly lady who waved and blew me a kiss as I started to sing. Later she told me how ‘thrilled’ she was ‘to see me back up the front.’ Now I don’t claim to be the world’s best singer but I … Continue reading →