December 22, 2004 | ThriftyFun

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Dishes Made SimpleWe don't use the dishwasher that came with our house because it uses 9-16 gallons of water per wash and runs for hours! I can wash dishes by hand in 2-3 gallons of water. . .

Remember Your NeighborsRemember your elderly or just alone neighbors who might not have family with a few Christmas goodies, or, better yet, an invite to join your family for Christmas morning or dinner.

Victorian Rose Oat Milk Bath SaltsMix dry ingredients together first. Sift. Add scent. Mix well then sift together to incorporate the scent.

Use a Timer for Christmas Tree LightingFor many years we would plug in our tree every evening and then before we went to bed we would unplug it. It finally dawned on us that we could eliminate doing that by using a timer connected to that outlet.

Holiday Dog CollarUse some scrap fabric and sew a tube twice as long as your dog's collar and wide enough to pull the collar thru. Gather as you go, then buckle around the dog's neck scrunched up like a scrunchie. Holiday festive! By Linda

Chamomile Lavender Calendula SaltsMix dry ingredients together first. Sift. Add scent. Mix well then sift together to incorporate the scent.

Easy Gingerbread HousesFor easy gingerbread houses just use graham crackers assembled with regular tub frosting. You can make the houses ahead of time and then let the kiddos decorate from there. We just did this for 7 little kids and they thought it was great.

"Thank You" Gift For Nursing Home EmployeesMy mom is in a nursing home and she receives very good care from the employees. When Christmas comes I like to thank them with an original gift. Seeing that they receive so much goodies like candy, pastry, etc. (mostly all high in calories) I bring them a large box of fresh oranges.

Need Pinecones For Decorations? Go To The ParkGo to a local park where the pine cone droppings are yours for free. Bring a basket and fill it up. Bring them home and hot glue them on a wreath or spray them with gold or silver paint. Your choices of what to do with them are endless. By joesgirl

Sweet Floral Breeze Salts - White Lilac Gardenia Almond Bath SaltsMix dry ingredients together first. Sift. Add scent. Mix well then sift together to incorporate the scent...

Label Your Children's New ApparelBe sure to label your child's new Christmas apparel like jackets on the inside with indelible marker. With all the kids having new stuff after the holidays, when they start back to school, even they don't know which jacket or boots are theirs.

Holiday Travel TipsIf your Christmas includes travel, allow plenty of time at the airport or on the road. If flying, drink lots of water during the flight to stay hydrated and help combat jet lag.

Create Wall Decorations With Last Years Christmas CardsEvery year you find the Christmas cards you had received from the year before when going thru your Christmas stuff. You can put those cards to good use by cutting them where the card is folded, so you have the front of the card in one piece and the greeting in the other...

Citrus Jubilee Salts - Orange Lemongrass Bath SaltMix dry ingredients together first. Sift. Add scent. Mix well then sift together to incorporate the scent...

Personalized Ornaments as Gift TagsAn ornament personalized with a paint pen makes a great add-on gift when used instead of a gift tag.

Taking the Little Ones ShoppingWhen my niece was old enough to save money, which was about 4 or 5 years old, I took her and her cousin Christmas shopping the day school dismissed. By the time she was in first grade the number of "guests" had grown to 4. They may have had a total of $2-$3, I would give each of them $5 each

Help Out Your Adult Kids Who Are Parents During The Holiday SeasonPlan to pick the grandkids up after school and take them to your home. Spend time with them playing cards, games, reading or just chatting.

Gift for Your Cat - Make a Scratching BoxIf you want to make a gift for your cat, but aren't inclined to bake kitty treats, make him (or her) a scratching box. Take a small, flat box and cut off one of the large sides.

Create Attractive Storage Containers With Popcorn TinsGet those empty popcorn tins from Christmas with snow men and other Christmas stuff on them. Put them to good use.

Questions

Removing Soot From Carpet?We got some soot on the carpet from the woodburning stove. Any suggestions for how to remove it? Kate

Leewards Advent Calendar?I too am looking for the Leewards Advent Calendar from the 1970s that is a Christmas tree made from felt on a white background with felt/sequin ornaments that hang on it - there's a candy cane, house with snow, panda bear, clown, rabbit, etc.

Removing Snail Slime Trail On Jeans?How do I get rid of snail trail slime that has penetrated through the material on pair of black jeans? My attempts so far have not removed this slime trail or do I just wait for it to wear out through repeated washings? Kathy from Washington

Removing Stuck Fudge?Hi All - I made Christmas fudge, didn't butter or line the glass dish & now I cannot get it out of the pan without destroying it physically. Hmmm, my first time - Any suggestions on how to remove the fudge without ruining it? Thanks! Debra

Looking for Soy Milk Advice?Hello, we just found out that the majority of our family members have a dairy allergy. I am looking for coupons, offers, information and any suggestions conserning soy or rice milk products. Also, has anyone tried making soy milk? Any success? This is a bit overwhelming on our income, so I thank you very much for your time. Karaof4 from Minnesota.

January Birthday Party?I have a birthday party to plan for January 3rd. It is an office party for our woman administrator. She love Americana and Country stuff. I need ideas for decorating without having to go out and buy Americana items at top dollar. Help. Mary Ellen