Holiday

50 White Elephant gift exchange Ideas

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White Elephant gift exchanges, or as some call them, Yankee Swaps, are about as popular as ugly Christmas sweater parties. Finding the perfect gift can be difficult because there are often a variety of people participating, and you may have to gear the appropriateness around the type of party: … [Read more...] about 50 White Elephant gift exchange Ideas

10 best kitchen gifts under $25

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As an avid cook who feels at home in the kitchen, I'm familiar with lots of kitchen tools and gadgets. This list of affordable kitchen gifts will make life easier for the home chef on your holiday list. I own most of these items myself and use them often enough to know that … [Read more...] about 10 best kitchen gifts under $25

Thoughtful holiday gifts on a budget

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Holiday shopping can make you feel as if the "reason for the season" is emptying your wallet, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are plenty of ways to save money on holiday gifts, entertainment and dining out through the holidays. Sign up for Living on the Cheap daily … [Read more...] about Thoughtful holiday gifts on a budget

Last-minute stocking stuffers for grown-ups

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Just as you’re never too old to rock 'n' roll, you’re never too old for a stocking from Santa. Chances are your stocking was the first thing you saw when you came into the living room on Christmas morning when you were a child, and now it can bring back warm holiday memories. While receiving … [Read more...] about Last-minute stocking stuffers for grown-ups

Last-minute stocking stuffers under $6 for kids

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Granted, the video game crowd is hard to impress but every kid deserves a goody-filled stocking on Christmas morning. To keep from breaking the bank on this beloved Christmas tradition, think cheap when you’re looking for stocking stuffers. Traditional stocking stuffers that are relatively … [Read more...] about Last-minute stocking stuffers under $6 for kids

Avoid holiday scams and frauds

Holidays are a busy time for all of us, including the scammers and fraudsters working overtime right now to cheat you out of your money, even your identity. Here are types of holiday scams to watch out for. Email scams We couldn’t deliver your package: Spam emails from senders with … [Read more...] about Avoid holiday scams and frauds

Make your own easy holiday gift bags

This holiday season save money and go green when you make your own gift bags out of newspaper. Better yet, while school is out, keep your children busy with this simple craft that has your wrapping in the bag. To make your own small gift bag (5 inches tall), you'll need a few items that are … [Read more...] about Make your own easy holiday gift bags

4 easy and cheap Halloween decorations

The Halloween season is upon us, making it the perfect time to get started on ghoulishly good crafts and decorations. Gather some items from around the house, stop at a craft store with a coupon for the rest, and you can make your house spooky on the cheap! Decorated Wine Bottles These … [Read more...] about 4 easy and cheap Halloween decorations

Make a scarecrow from items you have at home

For less than $20 you can purchase a ready-made scarecrow-on-a-stick from a craft store. Or, you can make your own one-of-a-kind scarecrow mostly using materials you have at home. Here’s what you’ll need to construct your own scarecrow: Safety pins and/or various lengths of rope. Burlap … [Read more...] about Make a scarecrow from items you have at home

10 cheap and easy Halloween costumes for pets

Perhaps your pet is participating in a Halloween parade. Or maybe she’s strutting her fluff at a mutt masquerade. Whether it’s for an event or just a fun family photo in the living room, sometimes pets allow you to dress them up. Stores and online retailers are stocked with adorable … [Read more...] about 10 cheap and easy Halloween costumes for pets

How to make tasty, ghoulish Halloween ‘fingers’

These creepy fingers are the perfect centerpiece for a Halloween party, but they are also tasty. The crisp, almond-flavored shortbread tastes even better after being stored, so make these ahead of time. Kathy Mayers of Portland, Oregon, developed this recipe and took the pictures. They are … [Read more...] about How to make tasty, ghoulish Halloween ‘fingers’

Free pumpkin stencils for creative Halloween carving

Ask my kids and they’ll tell you I’m a pretty pathetic pumpkin carver. Or I was, until I discovered free stencils to guide me to the gory. And I watched this video to teach me the basics, like how to keep my pumpkin top from falling inside.Pick up a nifty Halloween tool set like the one in the … [Read more...] about Free pumpkin stencils for creative Halloween carving