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Mackfam
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| Posted: Nov 17 2009 at 10:32am | IP Logged
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I want to try to be creative in answering our Christmas plans in a frugal but lovely way. So this year, I'm planning a Vintage Christmas! 
Here are my ideas...
:: list some likes, hobbies, and passions for everyone on my list this year
:: plan to spend a relaxed day each at my favorite vintage spots...
***flea market
***thrift store
***used book store
***possibly ebay, craigslist, freecycle
:: bring reusable shopping bags - one for each person on my list so I can organize gifts as I shop. I'm hoping to refine this idea a bit. I think one of the challenging aspects for me will be remembering what I got and for whom...so I was thinking that the use of our reusable shopping bags with names on index cards paperclipped to individual bags could help me organize as I shop.
:: make a list of generic categories across the top of a page - clothing, book, need, want - and a list of names down the side of the paper and fill in blocks as I shop to try to keep track of purchases this way.
:: fill in with home-made items, etsy, and some catalog hints.
:: focus on simplicity and quality of items.
:: note that there are some extended family members who would not appreciate a vintage gift - budget accordingly.
What do you all think? Can anyone add some hints or tips to the plan? We're going to take our frugal-vintage theme through to the wrapping paper as we did last year, reusing brown bags for wrapping and decorating them with simple drawings or stamped Christmas images. Doesn't it make you happy to say "we're having a vintage Christmas this year"? I want to Feast during this Holy Season, but I am certain we can do so in a way that is simple, lovely, and frugal! It captures my imagination!
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Nov 17 2009 at 10:59am | IP Logged
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the multiple bags would probably drive me nuts.. because I'd have to then look into each to figure out who had what.
I do much better with a list.. I have a lovely one in excel for my kids 
three lists actually.. one is a list by person of what sort of things I'm looking for.. and then there's the shopping list of all those things together.. and then there's the I've bought it list.. also arranged by person. so that no one is getting 8 things while another only has 2 
This also lets me put things away into boxes in my room in any order.. then I just pull out my list to put together presents.
Which actually reminds me.. I bought something yesterday and need to get it put on my list and put away 
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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CrunchyMom
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If you used folding bags, even just brown paper, you could put a stack in your bigger shopping bag and stick post-its on so it was like a big portable file (with the post it sticking up higher like a tab). If an item was too big to be slipped in this way, out pops that person's bag to be carried separately.
That sounds nice, Jenn! I am doing more of a homemade Christmas this year. Homemade matching pjs for us as well as another set for my Dad's family. Just flannel pants and matching longsleeve t-shirts (which I hope to personalize somehow with freezer paper stencils or something)and a gown for me if I'm ambitious.
I also have matching plain royal hooded sweatshirts and pants for the boy. I plan to stencil a dragon on the leg and a big red cross on the front so they can all have "St. George" sweatsuits.
I also found some plain canvas placemats at Ikea for $.89 a piece that we plan to have the boys decorate for family. Maybe a footprint/handprint raindeer or wreath and/or using fabric markers for the boys to decorate (sort of like these.
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Lindsay
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[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: Nov 17 2009 at 11:19am | IP Logged
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Your idea for wrapping made me think of these (expensive, so partially defeating the frugal dimension, lol) wooden spools of grosgrain, velvet, and baker's cord. Be still my heart! I would be thrilled if these WERE my gift, not just on it! I tore them out of the catalog , showed my husband, AND hung them on the refrigerator. I'm sure I won't get them. It would never occur to him that I'd actually WANT them after doing all that
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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molly
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Jennifer also think re using. example I got free old leather coats and cut the sleeves off and made my boys quivers. Friends like them so much, I now am selling them, as many as I can find free leather coats
Another idea I had last year, and this was a HUGE success and quite simple. I advertised a Christmas swap with our local homeschooling group. I used the church basement, and everyone brought things from their home that was good enough to give as a gift and we all swapped.
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Maddie
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My 18yo son is an apprentice to a tinsmith and has made some beautiful items. He has been going in to the shop now since the summer to work on making these tin cups for his younger siblings. I'm going to buy red mittens, a peppermint stick and throw in a penny for them.
They have been in a LHOP kick for a while now and they are just going to flip!
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Bookswithtea
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| Posted: Nov 17 2009 at 1:09pm | IP Logged
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Maddie wrote:
| My 18yo son is an apprentice to a tinsmith and has made some beautiful items. |
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I just have to interject here. I think this is sooo cool!
...back to the vintage discussion...
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~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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DominaCaeli
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Maddie wrote:
My 18yo son is an apprentice to a tinsmith and has made some beautiful items. He has been going in to the shop now since the summer to work on making these tin cups for his younger siblings. I'm going to buy red mittens, a peppermint stick and throw in a penny for them.
They have been in a LHOP kick for a while now and they are just going to flip! |
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Just wanted to say that this sounds soooo neat! How fun!
Our extended families aren't into getting "vintage" gifts, but I do try to do as much handmade as I can. It's difficult to strike a balance between finding things that more commercially-minded family members will enjoy and sticking to my own value of homemade items.
For our own household, though, it is really fun to incorporate some of those more simple, traditional Christmas elements. All homemade gifts, lots of freshly-baked goods, children's decorations (the kids and I are going to make a felt-and-bead garland this year--fun!). I make quite a few garage sale purchases throughout the year for the children, and I set a few items aside for Christmas gifts.
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Celeste
Joyous Lessons
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Lisbet
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Total side track here, but Maddie, last time we visited that tinsmith shop, the tinsmith did a wonderful demonstration, my kids were enthralled - at the end he asked if anyone had any questions to which my four year old raised his hand and asked "Can I have a drink of water?"
Okay, back to the Christmas talk...
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Maddie
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Lisbet wrote:
Total side track here, but Maddie, last time we visited that tinsmith shop, the tinsmith did a wonderful demonstration, my kids were enthralled - at the end he asked if anyone had any questions to which my four year old raised his hand and asked "Can I have a drink of water?"
Okay, back to the Christmas talk... |
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Mike is a h/s dad of 3, I'm sure he totally got a kick out of it!
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~Maddie~
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Erin
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Jennifer
Have you read Gae's post? They are doing a total home-made Christmas.
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Erin
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Mackfam
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CrunchyMom wrote:
| Your idea for wrapping made me think of these (expensive, so partially defeating the frugal dimension, lol) wooden spools of grosgrain, velvet, and baker's cord. Be still my heart! I would be thrilled if these WERE my gift, not just on it! I tore them out of the catalog , showed my husband, AND hung them on the refrigerator. I'm sure I won't get them. It would never occur to him that I'd actually WANT them after doing all that |
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I am in love with those same three ...and I love the crystal rainbow makers!!! Wouldn't those be lovely in the windows? We already have a collection of prisms hanging in our kitchen windows that we love. It's so cheery in there when there are rainbows everywhere!
This reminds me...I saw a big brown bag of prisms (random from old chandeliers) for sale at the flea market the last time I was there...adding that to my list of things to check out! Wouldn't that be neat to be able to tie a pretty rainbow maker onto each gift with pretty ribbon???!!! What a cheery little bonus gift! Who wouldn't enjoy rainbows dancing through their spaces on a wintry day?
Molly,
I love your idea of re-purposing from around the house! The leather coat quiver is absolutely BRILLIANT! I'll definitely brainstorm like that this weekend so I can get organized before I go to the flea market!
These are all such great ideas, ladies! And...
Erin wrote:
Jennifer
Have you read Gae's post? They are doing a total home-made Christmas. |
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...Gae's post is absolutely inspiring! If you find yourself feeling a little low because of finances this Christmas, you must go read her post! It's inspiring and lovely! Perfect dose of simplicity and originality!
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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Cay Gibson
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Beautiful thoughts...beautiful idea, Jennifer.
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Cay Gibson
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Erin
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Gae has just written a list of ideas and workshop post complete with workers and gifts
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Erin
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Nov 19 2009 at 4:24pm | IP Logged
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I wanted to add a few more ideas:
:: spend a day or two digging through the cupboards and closets gathering extra baskets, ribbon and trim, pretty fabrics, books that might be able to be re-gifted.
:: make gift baskets adding home baked goods and dried flowers
:: sew matching apron sets for girls and their dolls
:: sew big envelopes (lined with cardboard or very thin plastic sheets) for special collections of things (ht: SuzanneG for this...and etsy) like favorite drawings, a portfolio for bringing on nature walks, confession materials, woodworking plans
:: sew traveling crayon organizers for kids embellishing with pretty ribbon
:: sew hair bands for older girls
:: check thrift store for old sheets or linens and make a set of cloth napkins and dish towels for a gift and someone's gift basket.
Any other ideas like that?
I've been having fun brainstorming like this, ladies! I'm lacking in some practical sewing ideas for the men (young and old) in my life. Ideas?
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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Erin
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Mackfam wrote:
| I'm lacking in some practical sewing ideas for the men (young and old) in my life. Ideas? |
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BBQ aprons.
Tool Belts
BBQ Pouches. I remember reading someone's blog last year who took the crayon pouch idea and made a terrific BBQ Pouch for her husband. Anyone remember who?
Tool Pouches.
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Erin
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: A Vintage Christmas
