November 13, 2004

GristwurstMy mom says my grandmother used to make this recipe and then stuff it into clean old stockings that had gotten runs in them. She'd then let it chill outside. (She only made it in winter because they had no icebox.) Each morning she would squeeze some out and fry it up, then serve it with syrup. My mom says it was DEE-LICIOUS!

 

Chocolate Chip Cookie WreathHeat oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheets with foil and grease lightly with shortening...

 

Good Fudge RecipeCombine sugar, milk, and butter. Stir and cook until softball. Add chips, marshmallow creme, and vanilla. Beat until cold and pour into pan.

 

Apple-Onion SoupNice fall soup.

 

Etching a Glass BottleIt's easy to give store-bought bottles a "homemade touch" by etching them with a special message or design, then filling them with something your recipient will love.

 

Snowman Jar Craft Idea for Co-WorkersThese cute little snowman are easy to make and can be filled with some candy.

 

Drying Heavy BlanketsYou can dry heavy blankets on the line quickly and without stretching by using this technique: Hang the blanket across the line with the binding down. Then pull the opposite corners down. Water will drip from the lower corners, yet air will still circulate inside the fold. By joesgirl

 

Slimming Thick AnklesIf you have thick ankles, avoid shoes with ankle straps at all costs. Instead, look for straps across the front of the foot to draw attention away from the ankle area. Open toes or detail at the toe have the same effect. Also try stacked, chunky heels, which will make your ankles look more proportionate. By Kathy

 

Wrapping Christmas Packages for Several Children?I have five grandchildren. Instead of buying one large gift, I buy several smaller ones. The children really enjoy getting to open so many gifts. I have 5 individual boxes with their names printed on them.

 

Buy Dark Clothing - Know When to SkimpIf you're on a budget, spend less by buying dark-colored clothes. Workmanship is much less noticeable in dark-colored fabrics, so most inexpensive darks can pass for pricier.

 

Making a Cutting BoardThis project takes giving a gift with a personal touch to a whole new level.. Follow these steps to create a fun and functional cutting board designed (by you!) to match their kitchen and their personality perfectly.

 

Christmas Gift for Smoking FriendI have an elderly friend who knowing we don't smoke, won't smoke in our home, and always brings an empty Peanut Can with her to put her cigarette stub into.

 

Gifts for Teachers, Pastors, Doctors and FriendsGreat gifts for teachers, pastors, doctors, and even friends are edibles that can be frozen now to eat later. Basics like homemade bread, banana bread, muffins, are always welcome. By Linda

 

For A Lighter Whole Wheat BreadTo make a whole wheat bread rise higher and feel lighter, add 1 tbsp. of lemon juice to the dough as you're mixing it. This will add lightness, but will not influence the taste. By joesgirl

 

ThriftyFun News November 13, 2004 - Christmas Gift IdeasOnline version of the ThriftyFun News. Christmas Gift Ideas. Volume Six, Number 44 November 13, 2004

 

Ordering Christmas Presents by Mail or OnlineHere's something to keep in mind if you plan on ordering Christmas presents online or by mail. Using a credit card as payment gives you the right to contest the bill if the item isn't received or is returned.

 

Sleep In Smaller RoomsIf you are short on living space in your home consider this: use one of your smaller bedrooms for sleeping, and use your largest bedroom as a family room, den, or craft room.

 

Mail Gifts Media MailSave postage on gifts that go long distance by giving gifts that qualify for media postage, which is much less than regular parcel post. Media postage can be used for DVDs, CDs, books, tapes, or movies, any information that doesn't contain advertisements can usually go media rate.

 

Anthony's Kite WorkshopNice site for kite plans and instructions.

 

Decorative Tins for Gift ContainersLooking for a way to get rid of clutter and save money? Get rid of any decorative tins you've been collecting by using them to put gifts in instead of using wrapping paper or buying another expensive gift bag.

 

Air Out Old BooksTo get a musty odor out of old books, place the books outdoors in the sun and frequently fan out the pages so that the air can reach them. Brush off any mildew or mold. If the pages are damp, sprinkle cornstarch between them and brush it off after a few hours.

 

Ask for Christmas Gift BoxesIf you will need boxes for Christmas gifts, start asking for them now whenever you shop in clothing stores. Close to Christmas they sometimes run out. By Linda

 

Gift for Students Away at SchoolBuy a box of stationary, fancy or plain. Place sticker address labels on the envelope for your address and return address. Buy postage stamps and apply them to envelopes. Enclose a funky pen. Now there are no more excuses as to why they didn't write. Also, amazing how often you hear from them if they know a 'Care' package will follow, or perhaps extra money might get sent for a pizza or a treat, in a return letter from you. LOL. I used this on my granddaughter while she was in College! It worked! By Gladys Hill

 

Make Your Own Dish RagsInstead of buying kitchen dish rags take old towels and cut them into the size you want to clean your dishes with, then finish the edges on your sewing machine and wallah, you can wash them and reuse them.

 

Homemade Spa or Hot Tub CoverWhen we got our hot tub it came with a nice insulated cover. What we did not count on was that my daughter's pit bull puppy would love to tear it up. Our hot tub is outside so we tried everything to keep it covered and ended up not using it for a couple of winter's because it became a real money drain.

 

Remedy for Sneaky Peeky Kids at ChristmasIf your kids peek at gifts under the tree or search throughout the house for presents, wrap them immediately upon bringing them in. Mark them with a code only YOU know!

 

Thrifty MouthwashOur dentist told us to mix 1/3 mouthwash, 1/3 peroxide, 1/3 water for an effective way to prevent gum problems. I buy generic mouthwash and peroxide. We have very healthy gums at limited cost.

 

Stretching The Life Of ClothesTurn your garments inside out before machine washing and drying to reduce wear on edges and creases. You should also do this if you frequently hang your clothes outside to dry because turning them inside out prevents the sun from fading colors. By joesgirl

 

Quick and Easy Crocheted Snowflake Necklace and EarringsUsing crochet cotton and a size 11 hook, chain 4. Join with a slip stitch to form a ring, work 13 double crochet in ring, slip stitch in top of first double crochet.

 

Plant Cuttings for GiftsI often give plants that I have started from cuttings as gifts. To brighten these up I use a water pic from the florist with one or 2 blossoms from my yard to add a bit of color.

 

Baking Soda Laundry BoosterI use baking powder to reduce odors in my laundry. Use about 1/8 to 1/4 cup per load and the laundry will smell okay. The amount can be changed depending on your need. By Bea Westrate

 

Gift for a Poet - Muse RocksThese are a great cheap gift for a budding poet. First you need between twelve and twenty five flat smooth rocks. Now with a paint marker or a permanent maker write words to inspire that budding poet. A quick list of words to use would be:

 

Baskets of PresentsNever pass up baskets which are somewhat used or being sold cheap. Save them all for Christmas gifts. Anything can be put in them, two or three items of the same theme, such as yarn, crochet, and crochet book, etc., and then wrapped with pretty cellophane paper and a ribbon.

 

Extending Your DollarsTo extend your dollars over the holidays remember the Dollar Stores. I frequent 3-4 stores every few weeks. I have found scrapbooking supplies, color books with the latest super hero in them, candles, bath supplies, baby shampoo...

 

Inexpensive Seashell Picture FrameI've bought picture frames (with wide borders) from the Goodwill or other thrift stores. I use craft paint (any color) to paint them and then a satin varnish. Then I hot glue a variety of shells to the frame. I use shells I pick up at my beach and the frames cost only a couple dollars.

 

Peeling VegetablesWhen peeling vegetables, peel the large end first, then the small end. That way you will have the rough skin as a "handle" while you're holding the small end, and you'll have the large end to hold as a "handle" while you peel the small end. By Katie A.

 

Freezing MeatballsTo freeze meatballs, place them on a cookie sheet until frozen. Place in plastic bags. They will stay separated so that you may remove as many as you want. By Peggy

 

Christmas Gift Suggestion for People Away from HomeHave a student, loved one in senior care home, kinfolk or serviceman/woman, living away from home? Give them a subscription to the local newspaper. It gives them news from their local area.

 

Gift Wrap IdeasBecause of our consumer society, wrapping paper can be a huge expense. We may want to consider "downgrading" the packaging and wrapping of the things we purchase in the coming year. I recently heard of a great idea: instead of wasting what amounts to tons (collectively) of wrap and ribbon, why not use seasonal dish clothes or towels to wrap some items? You could use place mats that have been rolled up and tied as a beautiful gift alone or with some kind of neat kitchen gizmo tucked inside. Use YOUR imagination! Editor's Note: What gift wrapping ideas have you used? Do you have any ideas to share with our readers?

 

Unique Gift Ideas For Grandkids?I have 3 small grandkids - boys - 6 months, 2 years, and 4 years. They are overwhelmed with toys - new and passed-down. They have lots of clothes - the same. What in the world can I "wrap" up for them - when they come over on Christmas day morning?

 

Recipes Using Ground Flax?I would like recipes using ground flax. Thank you, Gwen from Minnesota