Monthly Archives: December 2008
Huge savings by planning ahead for Christmas 2009
If you purchase your christmas cards, decoration and wrapping paper for 2009 now , you will enjoy huge savings. Visiting several stores, I found savings between 50% to 80%. A box of christmas cards that normally costs $10 can be purchased now for $ 2.50. And if you don’t mind eating Christmas candy in January, stock up on those for a fraction of the original price. I also bought today the first gifts for upcoming birthdays and other events: a barbeque thermometer for $ 2.50 and a red velvet table runner, which my mom will love, for $ 4.50.
Merry Christmas, Peace and Joy
Food for Thought
Holiday gifts that don’t cost a fortune
Did you already bake cookies, and made jam ? Are you out of ideas what else to give during the holiday season? Here a few gifts that won’t cost you a fortune:
Do you like to cook and have great recipes?
- You could buy a nice notebook or folder, and create a personalized recipe book for a dear friend or family member.
- Give a coupon for a five course dinner at your house – or
- Promise to cook for an event at their house.
- Buy ingredients for a not-your-every-day family meal and add your special recipe.
For avid gardeners:
- Give a coupon or gift certificate for a plant, seeds, or fruits from your garden. Add a picture, if you have.
- If you have seeds from last summer, purchase a pretty box or bag and fill it with seeds and planting instructions.
- Give your time and experience: Friends or colleagues without green thumb will appreciate a coupon for “garden consulting” – or
- Give a certificate for “spring cleaning”
Do you need a gift for a couple with young children?
- Give a coupon for x number of babysitting nights
- Invite the kids for a weekend in your house
- Offer your time for help with afternoon activities
- Organize a party for all the kids of your friends (so that they can spend some grown-up time together)
Do you have an elderly loved-one, friend or neighbor?
Give the gift of your time by giving them a coupon for help with shopping, rides to medical appointments or a day out in the country.
Christiane is a professional life coach with private practice in Massachusetts. She specializes on helping people on realizing their goals and putting them into action.
Secret of Optimism
I have a good friend whom I admire for her energy, curiosity about life and optimism. She is well into her eighties with an unbroken zest for life.
A while ago, she told me the secret for her positive attitude: “When I get a box with a variety of chocolates, I will eat only one per day. On the first day, I will select the one that I like best. The next day, I will take the best of the remaining, and this I will repeat every day until all are gone. This way, I get to enjoy every day just the best of all my options”.
Where to buy Christmas trees
What is Christmas morning without a beautifully decorated tree?
However, this year more people may go without a tree. In financially difficult times the expense of a tree can be too much for a tight holiday budget. Christmas tree growers are already reporting a decline in sales as buyers cut back on spending.
Artificial trees cost less over the years; but for many people they are no match to a natural tree.
Two ways to save money when buying a natural tree are:
• Buy a smaller tree
• Purchase your tree at a “Cut your own tree” farm
The National Christmas Tree Association provides on their website tips for selecting the best tree.
To find a Christmas Tree farm in your vicinity go to christmas-tree.com or pick your own christmas tree
