Mondays with Martha: How to Spend Less This Christmas

It's just about that time. We're expecting our first polar vortex this week. The trees are bare, silhouetted skeletons against a grey sky. The red cups have made their appearance at that coffee place, what's it called again? Thanksgiving isn't here yet, but it's late this year, and if you look at the calendar you will see there are only two weekends between Thanksgiving vacation and Christmas vacation. All of which can only mean one thing: it's time to make some plans for how you're going to make this the best Christmas ever. Or, well, a good enough Christmas that you all have happy memories afterwards.

Every year I scrimp and save and say to myself, well, we don't have a lot of money this year, but next year we'll have more to spend on Christmas. And then every year we somehow seem to have less discretionary income. This year it is due to a Disney vacation and a move that cost more than we hoped and a kitchen remodel that cost a lot more than we hoped. So, how can we have all the most important parts of Christmas for less?

1) Make a list of what's really important. Ask the kids what traditions they can't live without. Figure out what makes you the most excited about the season. And then make three lists: The must-dos, the want-to-dos, and the do-withouts. Grandma's Kringle on Christmas morning makes the must-do list. So does looking at Christmas displays in fun stores with my mom. Seeing zoo lights with friends is another must-do. (Notice that those things are all basically free.) Driving around to look at ridiculous light displays set to music is on the want-to-dos. It's fun and basically free (other than the hot chocolate to make the drive even more fun), but if we don't get to it no one will have a conniption. The pictures at the mall in matching dresses is a do-without. It just makes everyone grumpy and really is quite expensive. Also not making the cut are the picture calendars. I just saved myself $200 and two days.

2) Plan ahead for your gift shopping. Ideally by this point in the year I'd be halfway done with my Christmas shopping. But this is the real world, and we are in chaos after a move and a remodel, so I have barely started. Making lists so I can shop sales and not overspend my budget is essential. Avoid those impulse buys!

3) Don't forget resale. Some items you want to buy new, of course, but especially when it comes to toys for young children, used is usually just as good as new, and a lot less expensive. Put a call out on Facebook for what you're looking for; maybe another mom has one she can sell you! Used books are also a great "extra" gift for people.

4) Think of experiences, not more "stuff." This probably works better with older children than younger children, but if you're thinking of paying for lessons or a special class, make it a gift rather than just one more thing your kids feel entitled to. Or have them open a CD (which seems more satisfying than a download, but maybe I'm just old-fashioned) with tickets to a concert. Family vacations can also be turned into gifts--money you were already going to spend that can help you spend less on other things.

5) Think of things you can make. Pinterest is your friend. There are some great ideas out there for games and toys and home decor you can make. My best Christmas as a child was the year my mom made all kinds of items for our Barbie dolls. She didn't spend much at all, but we were thrilled to pieces. Home-made granola, breads, and apple butter make wonderful gifts. Get the kids involved in making something for the grandparents and you kill two birds with one stone: making happy memories and crossing another item off your gift-giving list.

6) While you're getting crafty, think about whether you can make a little extra money at a craft sale or by taking a part-time job. I'm hoping to sell a little jewelry this season to have a little more spending money. And if none of it sells I can turn it into gifts for all the ladies in my life.

7) Think about family gifts--games or puzzles or memberships. It is much  more satisfying and saves you  money to buy a $40 game for your favorite nieces and nephews than to buy each one an individual gift that they probably won't like that much anyway. Puzzling families might like a puzzle they can put together during Christmas vacation.

8) Don't forget the dollar store and the dollar spot at Target. Sure, those things won't last forever. But they will bring a smile to a child's face.

9) Turn necessities into gifts. You can't only give socks and underwear, but you certainly can include them in a stocking. Or if there's an upcoming vacation, give a suitcase or sleeping bag. These are things you have to buy anyway, but turning them into a gift means you can spend less money over all.

10) Focus on what's truly important. Your children are better served by you making fun memories, not memories of mom stressed and dad griping about how much you overspent. Fewer presents teaches them to concentrate on giving more than receiving, to be content and grateful for what they have. And it helps them not be over-stimulated on the holiday itself. It also frees you up to focus on the together times you love the most, the feasting and game-playing and movie-watching that are the stuff of happy childhoods and cherished memories.

There you have it--my best ideas for saving a little money this Christmas. What are your favorite money-saving tips when it comes to the holidays?

Mondays with Martha: Abby's Favorite Home Space

The highly talented and creative Abby blogs over at To Form a More Perfect Union. Her blog is fabulous and oh-so-inspiring. And she's such a wonderful person. Abby was kind enough to send me a picture of her favorite place in her home.

Look at that natural light! And the cute cabinet in the corner. And that light fixture. Love it. And I happen to know she cooks some pretty fabulous food to go on that table.

My sweet friend Karil didn't send a picture, but did offer a description of her favorite home space: "I think my favorite spot in our house is the couch by the front window last week when the leaves outside were all yellow and gold."

How about you? I'm still waiting for a picture of YOUR favorite space.

Mondays with Martha: Favorite Spaces

When your kitchen looks like this...

It's important to focus on the positives about your home. So for this week's homemakery post I'd like to focus on favorite spaces. What is your favorite place in your home? Maybe you have to think for a minute to determine what it is. Or maybe you know what your favorite place is but you have neglected it for a bit and it is currently too cluttered or dirty to rank as your favorite place. Or maybe you're in your favorite space this very minute.

Here is mine.


I love it because we haven't had a fireplace in many years, and we're fire-in-the-fireplace people. I also love it because I envision many happy moments of family togetherness here. It is absolutely the perfect place to read Little House in the Big Woods to my little people. And also apparently the ideal spot for an animal hospital. This is the third or fourth iteration of the mantel, and the best so far, but I'd welcome decorating suggestions if you're so inclined.

What about you? I'd love to hear about--or better yet get a picture of--your favorite place in your home. Leave a comment or send me a picture and I'll share it here tomorrow!

Mondays with Martha: Mother's Day

Martha has some great ideas for Mother's Day--a huge list of gifty crafts that look lovely and not too difficult. Maybe you can print off some of the ideas and leave them in strategic locations around the house for your kids to find.

Which reminds me, occasionally I have a good idea. This year inspiration struck and I decided to have some of the girls' friends over to make mother's day crafts. They made cards...

And they made gifts...

But I can't show you the finished product because it's a surprise.

The great thing about this was that it was fun for the girls but also a nice gift for their moms. When kids are little their teachers help them make something nice for mom, but by about third grade that ends and it's up to the kids. Or the dads. And sometimes the gifts are either nonexistent or, let's be honest, a little bit lame. But since this is the one day a year that moms get honored for all their work, it's nice to help the kids come up with something their moms will actually want (hopefully). And to spend more than five minutes making a card, which is my favorite thing to receive on Mother's Day. This was so fun that I think this may become an annual tradition around here.

You still have one week left before Mother's Day, so you can find a craft and have some kids over to make something nice for their moms. As Martha would say, it's a good thing.

Mondays with Martha: Crock-pot Recipes

I can tell this is going to be one of those days of non-stop activity around here, so the post I plan to do on travel tips will have to wait. If you're having one of those Monday kind of Mondays, here are a couple of very simple Crock-pot recipes to help you out:

This first one is courtesy of a facebook friend of a facebook friend. We had it last week, and it was very good!

BBQ Pork Sandwiches

pork loin
jar of bbq sauce
bottle of beer

Put ingredients in Crock-pot and cook on high for about 5 hours, or low for about 6-8. Shred and serve on sandwiches, or just plain next to some potatoes.


Mexican Slop

Chicken, uncooked (fresh, frozen, bone in or out, whatever is fine)
1 can of beans, drained
1 jar of salsa
1 can of corn, drained

Cook on high for 3 hours or low for about 5. Shred chicken and serve on rice or tortillas. Top with cheese.


Taco Soup

1 can/bottle of tomato juice
1 lb. ground beef, cooked and crumbled
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1 can beans, drained
1 can corn, drained

Cook on low for 4 hours. Top with tortilla chips and grated cheese.

Mondays with Martha: homemade granola

I'm still trying to rein in our out-of-control grocery bill. I'm continually astounded by how quickly food disappears from our house! In addition to making overnight oatmeal a few times a week, I've been making homemade granola a little more often. Here's the recipe I've been using, which is based one one found in this book.

Homemade Granola

Mix together:
9 cups quick-cooking oats
2 c rolled oats (or you can use quick oats for all 11 c of oats)
1 c wheat germ or ground flax seed
1/2 c flour

3-4 c "goodies"--I've been using 1 c coconut and 2-3 c chopped nuts

Combine in a 2-c glass measuring cup:
1 c canola oil
1 c honey (or maple syrup also works)

Heat oil and honey in the microwave for 2 minutes and then stir. Pour this mixture over the dry ingredients and mix well. Bake in 3 large, greased pans at 325 degrees for 20 minutes. If you have a convection oven you can do all three at once, otherwise do it in batches. Cool and store in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks. Add dried fruit if desired.

This recipe makes a sort of muesli-ish textured granola. I like that it uses quick oats and that it's not super crunchy. (That makes it easier for the kids to wolf it down in the five minutes before the bus comes.)

And since this is Mondays with Martha, I'll include a link to her granola recipe, which I'm sure is wonderful and which should be stored in a fancy glass jar with a lovely handmade label. My recipe is probably more suited to a disposable Ziploc container, but there's no shame in that.

Mondays with Martha and Valentine Links

Well, people, it's been one of those weeks. I have some paying work, which is a wonderful blessing, and it's thrown me for a bit of a loop. And it's Valentine's week,

so we've been doing classroom mailboxes, valentines, and crafts for a class party.

My big goals for the week are to find the bottom of the laundry basket and put away the last few Christmas decorations. Clearly I'm not the one to give you great ideas and inspiration for your home, but Martha can help you out. And I've got a few bonus linkies as well.

If you've been wondering how to get those pesky wrinkles out of your sheets, Martha is here to help. When my oldest daughter was about 6, she saw a play ironing board and iron at the Ikea playroom and didn't know what they were. Clearly I don't iron my sheets. Or much else, for that matter.


Here are some cute free Valentine's Day printables.


Here is a darling idea I hope to make time for this afternoon. They're barrettes. The link has more detailed instructions.


Also on my agenda for today: red velvet cupcakes. I don't expect mine to be quite this pretty, but I think the picture is inspiring.