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My neighbor inspired me with this cute idea. Rather than throwing out her old wreath from last year, she kept it and reused it this year. Her wreath was actually real greenery. Yes, it was a bit dried out. Her solution? Spray paint it and hang a few cute ornaments on it! Looks brand new! What a great way to get a new and fresh look to any decor item whether real or artificial! I might just keep my Christmas tree around till next year and spray paint it!

Over the last few weeks we have been discussing ways of keeping the holidays simple, restful and enjoyable, and most importantly, focused on the Savior’s coming. As Stephanie at Keeper of the Home invited me to participate in the special theme on this topic today for Simple Saturdays, I thought it would be nice to compile my ideas here with a few additions. Many may think it is quite impossible to simplify Christmas, but I believe deliberate planning and prayer is the key! Consider using the holiday evaluation questions to prepare for the holidays as a family!

I appreciate Stephanie’s encouragement to depend upon the Lord’s grace for pursuing a simpler Christmas! By His grace, it is possible!

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“Two things I asked of You,
do not refuse me before I die:
Keep deception and lies far from me,
Give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with the food that is my portion,
That I not be full and deny You and say
“Who is the Lord?”
Or that I not be in want and steal,
And profane the name of my God.”
-Proverbs 30:7-9

This has been my heart’s cry as of late with the strain of our economy and work slowing down for many, including my husband. Lord, keep me in a constant state of dependence upon the Soveriegn provision of my Lord in order that I might exalt His name! I want Christ as my portion! If I walk in Him, all my true needs will be provided for and I will not loose sight of the great gift of life that He has granted me in Christ Jesus!  Riches will not bring satisfaction, in fact in will gradually turn my heart away from the Lord. Ultimately, I want to mantain this middle state, one that avoids the two great tempations – to trust in riches or to steal from another! If I have too much that my heart is finding purpose in my possessions then some must be given away. I must maintain a simple life in order that I will always look to Christ Jesus as my constant source of provision!

For further simple living encouragement, visit Simple Living Saturday.

One reason I have greatly appreciated the Holiday Planner is the motivation it has provided to give me a little advanced encouragement to plan early in making homemade gifts. I have always desired to do so but the thought never crosses my mind until December hits. Homemade gifts are often less expensive and also more appreciated due to the thought and time we put into it. They keep the holidays simple by keeping you at home rather than rushing around in the holiday madness trying to find the perfect gift! It is also much more sustainable! Don’t choose huge projects! But also, take the time to begin now in thinking up ideas of what might be most appreciated by your family.

Evaluate where your skills are! I don’t want to get involved in a woodworking project, because I have no skills in that area. I can bake and I can sew to a reasonable level, so I began scheming up how I could use these skills to bless others.

Ideas include:

Photo gifts – grandparents always love these! Updated pictures of the grand kids are always a great way to bless the grandparents and they can never get enough. Walmart & Costco offer an array of fun gifts with the use of photos (From photo mugs, calendars, photo albums, etc). You can do it all online!

Themed Basket Gifts -This is a fun way to go! Choose a theme that revolves around a favorite hobby and go for it! For a ton of great ideas, visit Homemade Gift Basket Ideas or TipNut’s Ultimate Guide. These work great for housewarming, bridal showers, and baby showers as well! You can find baskets for a great price at Goodwill or your local Thrift store. Baskets are the great alternative to wasting excess wrapping paper and still looking nice and attractive!

Baked Gifts/Gifts in A Jar – whether it be a mix in a jar or pre-baked goodies, I don’t think you can go wrong. Mix in a jar can be anything from a baked good ready to throw in the oven, seasoning mixes, beverage mixes, etc. For more ideas and recipes, visit Razzle Dazzler Recipes or Gifts from the Kitchen or TipNut’s Recipes & Resources. You could even adapt some of your favorite recipes for a jar! If you want to do some Christmas gift baking, get it done ahead of time – in November and freeze it! These are wonderful gifts for neighbors as a way to reach out and share Christ’s love during the holiday season. NO wrapping paper needed here either!

Sewing Gifts – There is an abundance of free patterns online for: aprons, quilted coasters, pillow cases, laptop sleeves & cases, etc.

For more ideas, visit Buy Nothing Christmas for a full list of alternative ideas! (Thanks to my sister-in-law, Autumn for the link!)

Care to join me in avoiding the use of wrapping paper this year? I want to be a good steward and thus have made it my goal to avoid it altogether! For a great list of alternative green wrapping ideas, visit here. Baskets and jars here we come!

Works for me!

What are your homemade frugal gift ideas?