You pick the winner- $100 Thrifty Christmas Tip!!!

Update Voting is now closed….I will tally up the votes both on this post and the ones sent via email and announce the winner tomorrow.

atmgraphicchristmas

First I just wanted to say a HUGE  THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to submit your Thrifty Christmas Tips. We really enjoyed hearing from our readers and wish we could give you ALL a $100 gift card…..  But since I am A Thrifty Mom, not  Oprah that is not going to happen. We each picked our favorite tip and asked a few friends to also select their favorite.  We came up with our TOP 6, You will now get to pick the winner ( the person with the most votes will win a $100.00 gift card).  One vote per person, simply leave a comment letting us know which one is your favorite!

If you are one of the finalist get your friends and family to come to A Thrifty Mom and vote for you!!

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Tip #1

Thanks to Skye M for this thrifty tip,

We had fun family traditions growing up too. Christmas is such a special time of year.

My husband and I just had our first baby about six months ago, so we are now trying to create our “own” family traditions.

A few ideas we’ve had:
*sew your own stockings out of old sweaters (no longer used).
*For decorations, wrap a book as a gift
*Fill Jars with christmas bulbs for decoration

I heard this somewhere and I want to incorporate this into our family traditions for Christmas (each family member gets only 4 things):
1. Something you want
2. Something you need
3. Something to wear
4. Something to read
-and you can put a price limit on each of those items to make a thrifty Christmas…!

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Tip #2

Thanks to Jane for todays Thrifty tip,

Easy Bake ovens are so fun but those dang mixes are expensive. I googled easy bake oven recipes from scratch, found my favorite ones, compiled them onto 4×6 cards and gathered the ingredients for an easy bake oven kit. My kids had a blast with their oven and it was simple, I didn’t have to empty all my cupboards, and I now have little professional chefs. One of my kids favorite presents ever!!!

Places you can look @ recipes:http://www.childrensrecipes.com/easybakerecipes.htmOR http://www.budget101.com/frugal/easy-bake-oven-mixes-187/

Baking Dishes includes a small plastic squeeze bottle (which I fill with liquid when they begin ex. milk, water) it is easier for them to measure out of then the milk jug or faucet, a travel size plastic spray bottle (to put small amount of oil in so they can spray their pans, I also fill this up just before they begin), measuring spoons, metal plates and other dishes (that come with easy bake oven), mini cookie cutters, and their own printed out 4×5 recipe booklet.

Ingredients box includes flour, sugar, cocoa, cake mix, powdered sugar, mini chocolate chips, etc.

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Tip #3

snowman1

Thanks to Tami  for todays Thrifty Tip,

Want to decorate your kitchen for the holidays? It couldn’t be cheaper or easier.  I just cut circles out of scrapbook paper (thats what I had, construction paper would work just as well).  I cut a triangle out of orange scrapbook paper (also on hand) and then took some wrapping paper for the scarf (which was free with a $5 off Hallmark coupon in a magazine last year).  Put them all on our refrigerator, Doesn’t get any cheaper than that!

snowman2
I have another one that was also free.  I took glass jars.  I used some kerr canning jars, but any empty glass container would work.  I cut  white tissue paper into strips and then Mod Podged them on.  I had everything on hand, but you could get the mod podge with a Michaels coupon if you don’t have any around.  After I put the paper on I put a layer of Mod Podge over the top to seal it.  Then took the tip of a paint brush that had a rounded handle to do the eyes and mouth.  I also painted the rim of my jars black for the hat.  These would be cute filled with Christmas goodies, or as a decoration with or without Christmas lights in them.  Just thought this would be fun to share!

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Tip #4

Ugly-Christmas-Sweater-no-thanks

Thanks to Jessica for this fun thrifty tip, ( I may just have to steal this idea)

Our family started a new tradition where we find the “UGLIEST” Christmas sweater. We all bring a small present ($1-$5) and stuff it into a stocking on the way into the house. We vote after dinner and the winner gets the stocking with the random things filled in it. Its hilarious! The wierder the presents the better!

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Tip #5

Thanks to Andrea  for todays Thrifty Tip,

TO make a Rag Christmas Wreath you need:
1: Round wreaths (I used embroidery hoops, and a large metal ring that was laying around my house)
2: Fabric of your choosing, cut into 5 in long by 3/4 in wide strips, or whatever works on your object.
3: Scissors or a rotary cutter
4: Ribbon or any other embellishments you plan to use.
After you have cut your fabric, start tying knots onto your ring. Continue until you’ve made it all the way around.
I decided to use multiple wreaths and I tied them together with a pretty Christmas Ribbon.

Be sure to Tie a ribbon at the top that the wreath can hang by.

Hang your new wreath on your door, and stand back.

Add any embellishments that you want. I added a bow on the bottom you could even add small ornaments.I honestly didn’t spend a dime on this project, it was all stuff that I re-purposed. Think thrifty this holiday season. Enjoy!

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Tip #6

Thanks to Lindsey for this tip,

My children saw the christmas tree going up at the front of Walmart and they were so excited because that meant they could pick out children to give presents to. We have always tried to make Christmas about giving to others and helping people. The funny thing is that we don’t have alot of money, but we always have our needs met. I really try to stay focused and thankful for what we do have. My oldest child is about to turn 7, she is amazing. We have five healthy children that love the Lord and we have new memories made each day: from playing in the snow, to decorating christmas cookies, baking goodies and spreading cheer. I encourage every mom out there to sit down enjoy a cup of tea or coffee  and be thankful for all they have. We are inundated with things and more things we shouldn’t be able to live without during this time of year… I will keep my eyes on the important things. Or at least do my very best. One of my favorite things is watching children touch the lives of others… with their little dances in the store aisles or singing “It’s Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas” in Ross at the top of their lungs. Jesus really is the reason for the season… so share with people you love and maybe even people you don’t even know. God Bless and Merry Christmas.

1 thought on “You pick the winner- $100 Thrifty Christmas Tip!!!”

  1. Tip 3 is my choice.  It’s so unique and cute that I’m making it a topic of discussion at my Bunco party.

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