Monday Message

“It is . . . necessary that each home and family do what they can to assume the responsibility for their own hour of need. If we do not have the resources to acquire a year’s supply then we can strive to begin with having one month’s supply.” (James E. Faust, April 1986 General Conference)

I know it is hard to think of buying storage items in December but that is when sales are going on, so keep an eye on your sale flyers!

Also a reminder to not go in debt for the holidays. It is hard with commercials and sales and commotion all about decorations, your own decorations to do, many things distracting you from your lists, plus the notion to try to give your kids more than you had. Instead, stick to your budget and your kids have good parents, that is the best gift.

Remember, try to be frugal...

http://www.littlehouseliving.com/100-frugal-or-free-christmas-gifts-for-toddlers.html  great gift ideas for gifts for toddlers

http://www.cozi.com/live-simply/50-holiday-traditions building traditions

http://www.realsimple.com/magazine-more/inside-magazine/your-words/how-to-keep-a-holiday-budget - helps to stay in your budget

http://www.jennablogs.com/2011/10/150-stocking-stuffer-ideas.html - ideas for stocking stuffers

Now is a good time to get large items needed like grain mills. I keep getting sale notices. And look for dehydrators, pressure cookers, food savers, sewing machine... I know they are not glamorous gifts but items that can help us with being frugal down the road.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/33-clever-and-adorable-diy-advent-calendars#.btWyygPxl - inexpensive advent ideas

Fun giving ideas...  http://todaysfabulousfinds.blogspot.com/2010/12/15-gift-ideas-under-2.html

http://todaysfabulousfinds.blogspot.com/2010/12/neighbor-gift-idea-game-night-in-bag.html - great idea for a gift to give your family. I always did a puzzle or such so we would have family fun…

I always liked giving "to do" things like a drawing set I would put together or a sewing kit or something along their interests - a gift put together by you!

We loved picking someone who needed some Christmas love…we picked food things to go with the twelve days of Christmas then each day we secretly dropped them off, the last day we made ourselves known with the gift but I have seen it too where they are never known, either way it is a blessing to all. 

Here are some ideas…

http://foodstorageandsurvival.com/twelve-days-of-christmas-food-storage-style/

www.thegamegal.com/2012/12/10/12-days-of-christmas-gift-drop-off

http://thegoldenseven.blogspot.com/2012/12/12-days-of-christmas-gift-ideas-for.html

http://www.tipjunkie.com/post/12-days-of-christmas-2/ - I like the ring and run but the one doing nativity set as an advent is good too...

http://www.alteredstateofmine.com/the-12-days-of-christmas-a-ring-and-run/

http://gigglesgalore.net/12-days-christmas-service-project/ - boy wouldn’t it be wonderful to get that one at the end? What a blessing.

I remembered giving five cans pineapple rings for the golden rings, two bottles of dove dish soap, hens a laying... we took eggs, we just thought hard on each section then we would get those items - fun was had by all! You can have this fun and brighten someone’s Christmas and if using food items it helps them as well.

Get your kids into it, they have great fun and learn to be giving as well.

There are so many people who are in need and need lifting.

Keep working on your skills and your storage.