Salt dough ornaments might be the most frugal Christmas craft there is. You need three things from your pantry: flour, salt and water. One batch makes about two dozen ornaments for roughly a dollar. They’re also the ornaments that end up meaning the most. A lopsided star from a seven-year-old, a tiny handprint from a …
The week after Thanksgiving, our farmhouse turns into a craft room. The leftovers are packed away, the chickens are tucked into their winter routine, and every pinecone, mason jar, and scrap of twine I saved all year finally gets its moment. I’ll be honest: I love Christmas, but I don’t love what store-bought decor costs. …
Filling the kids’ stockings is easy. It’s the grown-up stockings that leave everyone staring at the checkout aisle on December 23rd. Good stocking stuffers for adults are small, useful and a little bit fun. They don’t have to cost much. Most of the ideas on this list are under $15, and a whole section is …
Every December it happens: the office party, the family gift swap, the church small group exchange. You need a gift for someone you barely know; it has to be under $25, and you want people to actually want it. This list of white elephant gift ideas and Secret Santa gift ideas is built for exactly …
Moms are the hardest people to shop for. Ask what she wants and you’ll hear “Oh, I don’t need anything.” Then she spends December buying gifts for everyone else. This list of Christmas gifts for mom is full of things she’ll reach for every day, not knickknacks that end up in a donation box. They’re …
20 from-scratch sides (with full recipes) that stretch your grocery budget without anyone noticing The turkey gets all the attention, but anybody who has hosted Thanksgiving knows the truth: the side dishes are the meal. They’re what people go back for seconds on, what they ask you to bring again next year, and, if you’re …
Let me tell you something about hosting Thanksgiving: the turkey gets all the glory, but the appetizers keep the peace. You know how it goes. The bird still has three hours left. The gravy isn’t happening yet. And your people are wandering into the kitchen “just to check on things” (translation: they’re hungry and getting …
Don’t let anyone fool you, but we are all paranoid of our house smelling when someone walks in the first time or the 100th time. Giving a gift that will guarantee their house smells good and looks cute with that country charm will forever be a hit. If you’ve been searching for a potpourri DIY …
The personal touch that makes every guest feel special the second they sit down — and doubles as a take-home gift. There’s something about seeing your own name at a place setting that makes a holiday dinner feel a little more special. Store-bought place cards get tossed at the end of the night, though, and …
The five-minute detail that makes your whole Christmas table look pulled-together — for pennies. Napkin rings are one of those little things that quietly make a table look finished. Store-bought ones can run a few dollars each, though, and that adds up fast for a full table. So one year I started making my own …
The coziest, cheapest centerpiece you’ll make all season — and it starts with jars you probably already have. Every year when I set the holiday table, the piece everyone reaches for their phone to photograph isn’t the store-bought one. It’s the row of little mason jar candles glowing down the center, filled with cranberries and …
There is something about handing someone a mason jar layered with beans, lentils, and pasta that a gift card will never touch. It says: I thought about you, I stood at my counter and funneled split peas into this jar for you, and on some cold night when you don’t feel like cooking, dinner is …
The holidays are nearly here, and if you’re anything like me — managing homestead chores, raising teens, cooking for a diabetic husband, and trying to keep things simple and frugal — then you probably already know that without a plan, Christmas can sneak up on you. That’s why I created something to make it easier:👉 …
The holiday season is upon us, and while it’s the most wonderful time of the year, it can also be the most expensive. If you’re like me and looking to spread a little holiday cheer without breaking the bank, finding budget-friendly gifts for your neighbors is a must. Luckily, you don’t need to spend a …
If you’re shopping for kids this holiday season, chances are you’ve seen TikTok filled with ride-on cars, play couches, and even indoor climbing gyms. These aren’t just toys — they’re the gifts kids are begging for in 2025. The best part? Many of them are affordable, parent-approved, and guaranteed to bring that wide-eyed excitement on …
There’s something undeniably magical about a fireplace during the Christmas season. As winter’s chill settles outside, the hearth becomes more than just a source of warmth—it transforms into the heart of holiday celebrations, a focal point where memories are made, and traditions come alive. If you are lucky to have a fireplace and mantel, you’ll …
I was so excited when I found these adorable Buffalo Bills ceramic Christmas trees on TikTok! I’ve been having a blast the past couple of months sharing all my favorite TikTok shop finds. This one is too good not to share with you all on the blog and Pinterest for the upcoming football and holiday …
I swear the humble Mason jar can solve 72% of life’s problems. Sick of paper clutter? Use a Mason jar. Want to sprout an avocado pit? Mason jar. Need a gift that screams, “I thought about this a lot and totally didn’t just grab something from the Dollar store”? Enter the cookie jar gift. I …
Easter has come and gone, leaving behind a surplus of colorful candies. Instead of letting those sweets go to waste, transform them into delightful new creations that your whole family will enjoy. Or if you didn’t get a lot of candy for Easter, and now it’s on clearance, here are some fun ways to use …
Teenagers can be the hardest to shop for—they’re not kids anymore, but they’re not adults either. It’s a weird time in their lives and a weird time for us parents. I’m still trying to adjust to that. I have a teen and a tween. My girls love chocolate, but it’s fun to add some other …
You know what’s worse than finding Easter grass all over your house for months after the holiday? Watching your kids stockpile a mountain of candy from egg hunts and Easter baskets! (Like, how much sugar can one body handle?) Take advantage while your kids are little to fill their baskets with non-toy items and sprinkle …
If you want a versatile and fun way to decorate your home on a budget, you need to incorporate baskets. Baskets are such a frugal item! They never seem to really go out of style and can be transformed all the time. From what you put inside to spray painting them, the other best part …
When Leslie Knope (shoutout to Parks and Recreation) declared February 13th as Galentine’s Day, she wasn’t just giving us an excuse to gather our best friends and overdo it with waffles and wine. Nope, she was planting the seed for what’s become a full-fledged holiday for celebrating female friendship—and honestly, who doesn’t love a reason …
While the Super Bowl is often synonymous with chicken wings, greasy nachos, and over-the-top indulgence, it doesn’t have to mean you throw your healthy habits (or your budget!) out the window. Since we are a diabetic household, I like to find low-carb options for my husband. This list is perfect for those looking for more …
