Thrifty Christmas

This year with the economy being what it is and all, we’ve made some cuts to our Christmas spending. I’m making and baking more gifts than ever and I’ve also been buying gifts for our toddler from *gasp* resale shops.

So far I’ve bought a few books from the resale shop and I also found a few pieces to the wooden Thomas the Train set off Craigslist for our toddlers big gift. I’d also like to try my hand at making some of these wool critters from old wool sweaters. And seeing those, gave me some other ideas for things I may be able to sew up. With only 2 weeks left I have a feeling I may not be able to get his quilt done on time, but I’ll be setting up the sewing machine tomorrow and hopefully, can make some good progress.

Gifts for family have been a bit harder to save money on, but I do plan on making a few gifts and the rest will of course be bought on sale! (I’d tell you what I’m making, but my family read this blog!)

Most of all though, I’ve really been feeling the need to simplify our lives. It’s amazing how little a toddler actually wants to play with his toys when you take them away. Over the last month or so, I’ve weeded out over half of his toys, and he still finds enjoyment out of the things he has. Which is yet another reason I’m not going to go crazy buying him things this year. Plus, with another baby on the way we just plain ‘ol don’t have room for tons of toys!

I tried it, I liked it, I’m passing on the info

I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned the Paberback Swap here yet, but I’ve been trying it out recently and have to say…

Bartering

Seriously, I love bartering. It’s a great way to get and give free or reduced products and services. And if you think you don’t have any talents, believe me, everyone has something to offer. I tend to barter with photography sessions and products. In return I’ve received reduced haircuts, mechanical services, and soon I’m hoping to have a friend show me how to sew.

There are actually a lot of websites out there for people to post their services to barter, but I’d be a bit careful with those. You wouldn’t want to get into a situation where you’ve given something and then the other person disappears without holding up their end of the bargain. I tend to only exchange services with those that I know well.

Couple more tips for bartering:

• Barter retail for retail, or wholesale for wholesale. You don’t want to be exchanging goods or services with someone who has marked-up their price when you haven’t.
• If you’re bartering with someone you don’t know, exchange the goods/services at the same time.
• Make sure the other person has something that you really need. Don’t barter for a t.v. if you already have 3.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for a barter. If you need a certain product/service, seek out those in your life that have what you need. They may or may not take you up on your offer, but it never hurts to ask!

Homemade Baby Wipes

I recently ran out of store bought wipes and realized someone had given me a recipe for homemade wipes a couple years back, so I thought I’d give it a shot.

1 Bounty big roll – white, no dyes
2Tbsp baby bath
1Tbsp baby oil
1 1/2 cups hot water

Lay paper towel on it’s side and cut in half. Take out cardboard tube and discard it. Put the rest of the ingredients in a container with a good sealing lid. Put paper towel in container of liquid and turn upside down to soak through. Pull ‘wipes’ from center of roll.

Cutting the roll in half was a bit troublesome. It made quite a mess with bits of towel everywhere. I actually ended up using my electric knife to cut it and that was a bit cleaner of a cut. And since they aren’t as thick as conventional wipes you do use a couple more each time.

I don’t know how much I would use these right now since I only change a couple dirty diapers a day, but with a newborn this could be pretty cost effective. And it works great in a pinch!