Great Resources

Hi Sisters! I just wanted to share a helpful site for Christmas ideas and homemade gifts that I found the other day.
Click here for lots of free printables, like calendars, Christmas countdown planners, and even pocket planners.
Click here for printable gift tags, and cute gift ideas complete with the labels for the jars.
Click here for all sorts of articles on how to save money during the holidays (scroll down the page through the ads to get to articles).
And finally, click here for homemade craft and gift ideas!
Hope you enjoy!

Gifts with #10 Cans

When using your food storage, either to save on groceries or to rotate it, you can end up with many empty #10 cans. These can be used for some easy, fun, and useful gifts. And did I mention cheap?

(Please be careful to remove all sharp edges before reusing your cans. When opening new cans, be sure to continue the can opener all the way past the beginning point.)

Stilts
Turn can over and drill two holes on opposite sides, just under the new top edge. String rope of appropriate length for kids to pull up when they step. Or try elastic to strap the cans to the kids shoes. Decorate with paint, markers, stickers, ribbon, etc.

Countertop Canisters
Spray paint the outside of the can and the plastic lid. Decorate as desired. Try handpainting designs, gluing on trim, decoupage, etc. Finish with several coats of Krylon spray coating so that the outside can be wiped clean.

Storage Canisters
Decorate as desired, finishing with Krylon if needed. Use to store kids craft supplies, garage items, whatever you can think of!

Building Toys
Spray paint or simply leave silver. They make great toys to build tall towers and pyramids, and are fun to knock down!

Can you think of any other uses? Email me and I'll add them to the list.

Also, if anyone is in need of cheap gifts but doesn't have any #10 cans, I have a dozen or so hanging around.

Use what's available

This list of ideas was originally intended to show how you could "go green" for Christmas. It struck me how many of these I could do with things I already have around the house. I'm particularly excited to try #5.

1. Chocolate Dipped Spoons! If you need a quick and easy gift for a co-worker or neighbor, this is it. Dip plastic spoons in melted chocolate, set on wax paper to set, and wrap in plastic wrap. If you have some, you could sprinkle on crushed up candy canes before they set. They can stir a little chocolate sweetness into a mug of coffee, espresso or hot chocolate. A delicious holiday treat!
2. Fruit Place Settings! Tie a festive name tag onto the stem of a pear, apple, mini pumpkin, etc. and put it on your place settings for a personal and delicious touch to your holiday spread!
3. Popcorn-Cranberry Garland! Decorate naturally this year! Children can string cranberries and day-old popcorn onto thick thread or dental floss with a plastic needle to create a decorative garland to wrap your Christmas tree.
4. Pumpkin Vases! Pumpkin vases are a beautiful and fragrant addition to every home. Cut the top off a pumpkin, clean out the inside, and fill with festive flowers. Voila! Your pumpkin vase is ready to delight. Note: In this climate, the pumpkin will last no longer than 3 days unless refrigerated.
   
5. Festive & Fragrant! Give your home a festive holiday scent without expensive chemical air fresheners. Simply press whole cloves into an orange and sew a thread through the skin for a pretty and festive decoration that smells incredible!
6. Pinecone Turkeys! Kids love to make pinecone turkeys! Collect pinecones and use colorful felt and pipe cleaners to get your turkey gobbling. These make super ornaments or place card holders!
7. Gourd Art! Make one-of-a-kind gourd art. First, collect and dry unusually shaped gourds. Paint the gourds with your favorite colors and patterns. Hang on the tree for handmade keepsake ornaments you and your kids will treasure for years to come.
8. Apple-licious! Old-fashioned bobbing for apples is a fun activity for holiday kids' parties. After each child takes his or her turn and has an apple, have them make their own candy, caramel or chocolate covered apples! A super sweet treat!
9. Colorful Cubes! Add a twist to your drink by serving ice cubes with fruit or herbs frozen into them (orange slices, lemon rind, raspberries and mint leaves freeze well and add vibrant color). Cloudy cubes? Use distilled water instead of tap water. Great for water, lemonade, or clear juices.
   
10. Get Creative! Tis' the season for décor! Fill tall glasses with cranberries, cinnamon sticks or uncooked multi-colored pasta or beans. Anything you have! Add candles, glass beads, rhinestones or crystals for sparkle and shine throughout the holidays!
    

Modified from the Newflower Market newsletter.

Draw Names and Make Gifts

I grew up in a family of eight and we didn't have much money, so this tradition was one of necessity. We would draw names at the at Thanksgiving and you had to make something for the person you drew. We had to be very creative and we came up with some wonderful gifts.

Submitted by Tamma.

A Fun and Frugal Christmas

In the coming weeks, we hope to be able to share many fun and frugal Christmas ideas. Traditions, decorations, activities, recipes, gifts, and service ideas, all that cost little to nothing.

To kick it off, I'll share one of my own.

Reindeer Food (And a follow up FHE lesson)
As part of the Christmas Eve festivities, we traditionally leave cookies for Santa. But what about the reindeer? They've been working very hard and might need a little snack. Leave a carrot or two on the plate with the cookies, and watch the kids' eyes light up when they see nibbles and gnaw marks in the morning. (Don't forget to nibble and gnaw a little before heading to bed!)

Later, you can turn the experience into an FHE lesson on gratitude for service. Those reindeer had been working very hard, and it made them feel so good that you remembered them. Many of those who serve diligently, do so from behind the scenes. When we stop and think, who do we know who quietly serves? In the home, at church, at school, and at work? And how can we show them that we're grateful for it? For the activity, act on your ideas!

To contribute an idea, please contact a member of the Provident Living committee.