Today I have the neatest thing to share with you!! I've been wanting to create this gift idea for the blog for quite some time, but I never got around to it because I always make these gifts at the last minute! Then I forget to take pics. This year I got my act together and snapped pics of the entire process for you! How to Make a Money Note Pad This year I'm giving my niece a money note pad for Christmas. Here are the exact steps so you can make your own! I promise you will be your gift recipient's favorite parent / grandparent / aunt / uncle / sibling / friend / neighbor Keep Reading
Why I’m Letting My Kids Believe in Santa
When I first became a mom, I wasn't prepared for a lot of things. I was probably MOST unprepared for the fact that my children would start asking me hard questions. As a mom, you know that when your kids ask you a question you BETTER have the answer! If you don't have it, who possibly could? You are everything to them and they look to you for advice. I didn't realize I would have to take a hard stance on so many issues I didn't even realize were issues before! Oh the questions I was unprepared for! Does the Easter Bunny come to our house? What happens when you die? Will Keep Reading
15 Best Lego Gift Ideas for the Lego Lover in Your Life
Christmas is coming, and in this house that means one thing. Everything remotely Lego-related in the catalogs get big huge circles as not-so-subtle hints as to what will be on my kids' Christmas lists. In fact, Legos are on of my favorite gift ideas for kids ages 7-10! In reality, they have no idea that I am thrilled that they love Legos! Best Lego Gift Ideas for Kids In my opinion, Legos are the best gift idea for elementary boys and girls for any holiday, whether it's Christmas or their birthday! Plus, if you ask my son, Legos are "totally cool" too! Have a 5, 6, 7, or 8 year old Keep Reading
26-Week / Extra $1,000 by Christmas Savings Plan – Start with $26, End with $1,000 to Buy Christmas Gifts!
This Christmas Savings Plan will prepare you for the holiday shopping season! Hello! If you've never been to my blog before, let me introduce myself. My name is Lena, and I'm so glad you're here! This blog is where I share all the creative money making and family budgeting ideas that pop into my head, as well as other fun stuff like recipes and coloring pages. Today I want to share with you something I created to help us make a game out of saving money. It's a 26-WEEK EXTRA $1,000 BY CHRISTMAS SAVINGS PLAN that starts with $26 and ends with exactly $1,001. You start with $26 the Keep Reading
Cute Redbox Neighbor Christmas Gift Idea
This post was sponsored by Redbox as part of a program with Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review. Happy holidays everyone! This year I’m taking a different approach to the holidays. Instead of stressing myself out by rushing around to create & mail Christmas cards and do other things I don’t necessarily want to do, I am focusing on the things that make me happiest. So that means I’m inviting people over for potluck dinners, visiting with friends, and giving gifts to people I care about. Normally, I only give gifts to family, but this year Keep Reading
Easy Christmas Cookie Recipe – Sugar-Free Snickerdoodles
This year I am attending my friend's annual Christmas cookie exchange. I try to take at least two different recipes so I have a variety to offer (we have to take 6 dozen total!). I usually take my go-to no bake dark chocolate truffles, but I've been on the hunt for a second easy recipe that everyone will love. I found out that a few of my friends are on diets during the holidays (including me!), so I searched high and low for a cookie exchange-worthy recipe that won't break the calorie bank or load us up on sugar. I think I found the winner today....it's a SUGAR-FREE SNICKERDOODLES Keep Reading
7 Make Ahead Christmas Brunch Ideas
Christmas is fast-approaching, and the last thing I want to do is stress out while family is visiting. I like to relax and have a good time. This includes not getting up ahead of everyone on Christmas morning to make breakfast. :) So I've decided this year I will make Christmas breakfast ahead of time. Depending on our schedule the night before, we might eat later in the morning, so I guess this is officially my Christmas brunch plan! Here are 7 recipes I'm considering...I'm strongly leaning toward something cheesy and delicious, in case you hadn't noticed! 7 Make Ahead Christmas Keep Reading
Ten Personalized Christmas Ornaments That Make GREAT Holiday Gifts
This guest post is brought to you by my friends at the Ornament Shop. I did not receive compensation for this post, but some affiliate links below are mine. Visit the Ornament Shop They say there’s an art to gift giving and that a gift’s meaning isn’t tied to its price tag, but to the story and intent behind it. If you subscribe to this philosophy and feel that the best gifts aren’t about cost, size, or quantity, but the thought and love that goes into them, you're certainly not alone! The best holiday gifts take time, consideration, and a strong intuition that comes with an understanding Keep Reading
ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas Movie Schedule
Tuesday, December 1 (7:00 AM-11 AM ET/PT) The Preacher's Wife (11:00 AM-1:00 PM ET/PT) Disney's A Christmas Carol (1:00–2:30 PM ET/PT) Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas (2:30 PM–3:30 PM ET/PT) Life And Adventures Of Santa Claus (3:30–4:00 PM ET/PT) Frosty's Winter Wonderland (4:00–6:00 PM ET/PT) Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July (6:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) The Year Without a Santa Claus (7:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) The Polar Express (9:00 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (12:00–1:00 AM ET/PT) The Year Without a Santa Claus (1:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) Keep Reading
Free Printable Christmas Menu Shopping List
It's a few days until Thanksgiving, and my sister-in-law and I are already discussing Christmas plans. It seems like time speeds up on you at the end of the year, doesn't it? We barely have time to breathe, and then we're on to planning the thing after next! Oh boy! So to stay ahead of the game, I decided to start thinking about our Christmas menu. We are not only having family stay at our house, but we are likely going to be hosting a church gathering on Christmas Eve. So I better get planning! :) Whenever I have lots to plan, I always throw a checklist at the issue. This occasion is no Keep Reading
10+ Easy Ideas for the Lazy Elf on the Shelf
Sometimes we have the best intentions around the holidays before real world time issues mess them up. Let's face it, Elf on the shelf is a cute idea and fun for the kids but when exactly am I going to set that scene up? The gist seems to be that the elf hides (or is in plain sight) around the house and watches children to make sure they are on their best behavior for Santa. Who wants to get on the naughty list? The trend I see with other moms on social media are elaborate mini stages and cute handmade props that are pretty enviable but I do Keep Reading
Free Printable Letter to Santa Template ~ Cute Christmas Wish List
I just love getting into the Christmas spirit. I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but our kids just love Christmas, learning about Jesus, and of course, getting a visit from Santa Claus! My oldest is almost old enough to find out the truth...I'm sure we only have another year or two before the magic is over for her, so while it lasts, I'm hanging on to it! If you have little ones who believe in Santa Claus, you'll need this printable. Print it out, have them fill it in, and mail it to Santa according to these directions. They'll love it! Free Printable Christmas Wish List ~ Letter Keep Reading
Hottest Gift Idea, Christmas 2015
Do you know what this is? I didn't until about 6 weeks ago, and now I see them everywhere! I saw many people riding these around the hotel when I went to a blogging conference in Atlanta last month. They seem so silly yet awesome! I bet they will start selling out on Amazon and in stores. I'm just waiting for my kids to ask for one! LOL They're not as expensive as I thought they would be. They start around $250. Keep Reading
10 Weird Ways to Make Extra Money to Pay for Christmas Presents
Every October, I print out this Christmas gift list template and write down everyone we need to buy presents for. I estimate how much I think I should spend on each person and add up the total. Then the fun starts. Because I love thinking up ways to make extra money, I have fun with our Christmas budget. It doesn't stress me out one bit - I look at it like a challenge! I like figuring out ways to make money between October and December 25th to pay for all of the Christmas gifts on my list (that, and also trying to see if I can find coupons & deals along the way so I can come in lower Keep Reading
Christmas Wreaths to Make and Sell for the Holidays
As the holidays are approaching, I know many people are thinking about being able to afford Christmas presents. I love helping people figure out ways to make money, so I've been brainstorming easy ways to come up with extra cash for Christmas. The obvious solution hit me today - make and sell Christmas wreaths leading up to the holidays! Everybody with a front door needs one, and they are fun to make. DIY Christmas Wreaths to Sell for Extra Cash - 10 Ideas The ten Christmas wreaths pictured above are listed below with descriptions to help you figure out which ones are which. Keep Reading
