Monday Message - Frugal Christmas

Next provident living class will be Nov. 5 at 9:30 a.m. at the Shooks. We will have a class on starting a small business. Also, we will have a pumpkin treat :)

Those families will be fortunate who, in the last days, have an adequate supply of food because of their foresight and ability to produce their own" (Ezra Taft Benson, in Conference Report, Oct. 1980, 47; or Ensign, Nov. 1980, 33). 

As winter approaches rapidly we must be prepared with our storage to outlast a winter storm so that we can stay in and warm and not have to rush to the store to get supplies when people mob the stores for their 8 gallons of milk for a two-day storm.

Make sure you have everything you need to fix food if the power goes out and, an added plus, make sure you have everything on hand to make cookies and have fun family time.

Everyone loves a snow day...

http://www.honeybeepantry.com/topics/view/51cbfc93f702fc2ba812df79/
- This will help you know what to have on hand to make bread, apply it to other things

http://www.honeybeepantry.com/topics/view/51cbfc93f702fc2ba812df76/
- Some words from the prophets

Now we all know only too well Christmas is coming too fast so I will add some homemade gift ideas...

http://adiamondinthestuff.com/2011/12/i-spy-ornaments.html

http://gooseberrypatch.typepad.com/blog/2010/12/that-yummy-bread-on-our-christmas-card.html#.UmF88dK-pbs

http://www.stamperosity.com/2010/12/12-days-of-christmas-waltzingmouse.html

http://createstudio.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-thank-you-notes.html

http://penniesandblessings.com/2011/10/12-ways-of-christmas-ways-of-frugal-gifting/

http://preparednotscared.blogspot.com/search/label/Preparedness%20Project

http://christmas.organizedhome.com/crafts/christmas/blessing-mix - this has lots of ideas on the side bar

http://mawhats4dinner.com/soup-in-a-jar/

http://queenbeecoupons.com/homemade-play-dough-recipe-using-kool-aid-or-jell-o-preschool-teacher-and-kid-approved/

http://www.bhg.com/christmas/gifts/holiday-food-gifts-recipes-plastic-containers/?sssdmh=dm17.553285&esrc=nw100d11_4_d77_120111&email=609130149#page=7 - has several ideas here, click the arrows

http://www.thenshemade.com/2010/09/tiskit-tasket-little-green-paper-basket.html

http://savingcentbycent.com/2012/11/27/frugal-christmas-gift-ideas-part-1/

http://savingcentbycent.com/2012/12/04/frugal-christmas-gift-ideas-part-2/

http://savingcentbycent.com/2012/12/10/frugal-christmas-gift-ideas-part-3/

http://savingcentbycent.com/2012/12/17/frugal-christmas-gift-ideas-part-4/

http://moneysavingmom.com/2013/09/make-it-from-scratch-week-homemade-bath-bombs-day-3.html - this has lots of ideas; at the bottom I like the homemade garbage disposal cleaning cubes

http://www.mariasself.com/2012/12/dollar-store-diy-christmas-gift-ideas.html

http://www.kgw.com/lifestyle/money-saving-queen/frugal-living/183960371.html

http://www.951shinefm.com/common/page.php?id=1051

http://www.mommysavers.com/frugal-christmas-25-days-of-homemade-gift-ideas/

http://wholenewmom.com/whole-new-budget/easy-frugal-homemade-christmas-gift-ideas/

So, if you stuck with me this far, these are all frugal ideas to help you get a jump on Christmas gifting!

I will tell you there is a sister in our ward who, knowing her children's interests, formulated a gift around them. I know I always loved a gift that gave me things I enjoyed doing. So look to your children's interests; if they love art, encourage it and make a kit of art things, if they like magic tricks - do a gift of those, if they love reading -make a starter kit of a series (one that you approve of... isn't that the great part?).

Most of all DO NOT GO INTO DEBT for your gift giving. If you cannot purchase due to a tight budget then make a gift. If not that, then a card... if not that, then a letter that would be dearly loved. But never go into debt, that makes a bad situation worse!

Living providently is a wise way to live. We do not know what tomorrow will bring and how many of you have spent a lot of money on a toy to have the kids play with the box it came with. Kids will live if they do not get what everyone else has.

Don't do more then you can. Plan traditions! Being together is what your children will remember.

Continue to work on your food storage and supplies. Giving food storage can be a real blessing to your children who are not at home. Keep doing the best you can, that is all we can do.