I did it. I did the impossible.

The gifts for here are all wrapped. The only things left to wrap are craft items for other people, but I still have to commit myself to exactly who is getting what, and see just what all I have to finish making.

I'm relieved, though, to have gotten that much of it done. No worry about wrapping in front of the kids now. I sorted all the stocking stuffers out, as well, and got them separated into bags. That way, I can just stuff the stockings right away on Christmas Eve.

I got ambitious and hung all the stockings, as well- all 18 of the ones that go in the living room. 3 in the dining room window. That's not counting the 24 mini stockings for the stocking advent, though only 8 of those are still hanging.

Have I mentioned in the past I just love stockings? 3 over the window on the curtain rod, 4 hanging staggered on either side of the window. 3 above the mini tree, and 1 on each side of the mini tree. 2 in the entrance way to the living room.

We got a surprise gift in the mail. It's either from Nick's Uncle or Father, but we're not sure which. Nick's Uncle used to send us a gift from Swiss Colony, but hasn't in several years due to expenses. We loved them so much, the past few years, we've ordered a small set ourselves to snack on during Christmas. This year, we opted not to.

But there it was today, a big box from Swiss Colony. It has sausages, cheese, 2 mini hams (and boy, do they taste good!), some cakes, candy, and nuts. Now, we just have to splurge on some crackers.

And the Winner....

...will be announced later today. Turns out, I have a horrendous head cold, and all I can think of doing right now, is crawling back into bed. Later today, when I feel more alive, I'll post the winner of the contest.

In the mean time, thank you everyone who entered, and who tweeted, or posted to facebooks, or blogs about the contest! There have been a lot of new faces here to the blog this week.

It's also been an exciting week for me, as a newbie blogger- I've been featured this week on 3 different blogs/websites for 2 of my projects! I'm so excited by that! When I look at all the gorgeous items some of these super talented people put out, I'm just amazed. I look at my crafts as easy, frugal, and quick things to make, and I'm glad others seem to like them as well!

My features this week are:

Someday Crafts- This cool blog has featured my Scarf & Hat from a Sweater tutorial.
Craft Gossip- This website, which houses just tons of ideas, has also featured my scarf & hat from a sweater tutorial!
Dollar Store Crafts- This feature is one I knew about ahead of time. I showed off my Dishtowel & Potholder Apron, and they loved it!

It also sounds like I might be featured again soon on another website, so I'm just as excited as can be! I also had my busiest blog day ever, in terms of visitors this past week. My prior high for the day was 303 visitors on November 9th. My new high is 410 on the 18th this past week! Since then, I'm averaging almost 300 a day, as well, which is just amazing to me!

Thank you so much for enjoying my blog!

This weekend will be a slow blog weekend. On top of the head cold, I promised Gillian we would go to the science museum today- it's free entrance to people with my insurance, so frugal fun! Tomorrow, we're going to clean out the living room a bit, and dig out the Christmas tree! SO excited!

Frugal Family Gifts

This year for Christmas, I am focusing on gifts the entire family will get use out of, as opposed to gifts for individuals. The kids are still going to get some of their "own" small things, but for the most part, I'm doing family gifts.

Here are some ideas on things that can be gifted to a family:

*Family Passes*: Museums, Theme Parks, Zoos, Aquariums, and more! Family passes can be pricey, but they give you a "free" activity you can do any time you want. And, to sweeten the pot, so to speak, many family passes can be used at multiple places.

For instance, buying a zoo pass at John Ball in Grand Rapids will allow me to take the kids to Potter Park in Lansing, or the Saginaw Children's Zoo in Saginaw- and get me in half price at the Detroit Zoo & Binder Park. It will also get us in for free or discount at over 100 other zoos nation wide. That's great come vacation time! And, it'll cost me just $50.

*Family Game Night*: Board games are coming back in style, probably due to the economy being pretty low right now. Keep the overall ages of the kids in mind. If you have 3 little kids, Candy Land & Chutes & Ladders will go over well. If you have 1 little kid, 1 9 year old, and a 12 year old, you may have to get a bit more creative.

For us, we're getting 3 board games, so the kids will each get their own game, and then a 4th game to give to the parents. The games will be put with all the games, so that we can all enjoy them. Additionally, I'll be giving the kids each a snack item and some soda (both treats for them) to use for the first Family Game Night with the new games.

*Family Movie Night*: Pick up a family friendly movie, a box of microwave popcorn, some popcorn seasoning, and a box or two of movie theater candy, and you have the makings for a fun night snuggled up watching a new movie.

*Night Out*: I'm not sure yet if we're doing this one. For this, the kids will each be getting a small gift card to some place for dinner, probably fast food. They will also each be getting a gift card for a matinee to a movie. We can eat out, and see a family movie, which can be pricey otherwise. This way, it's a gift to them.

*Dinner Time Fun*: I am not sure I'll do this yet, but here are some ideas. Find or make an apron for each person of the family with their name on it if it's plain, or use a fabric that really kind of shows who that person it. Add in their own silicone spatulas, measuring spoons, and maybe a mixing bowl. For a gift to the whole family, get a cookbook. Then, have the kids take time to mark down which recipes they want to try. Every week, designate one night to be
Family Dinner Time Fun. Either alternate who picks from their list each week, or have each kid pick something from their list each week, for a larger meal. Have the kids help with the preparation!

*Reading Night*: Pick a book that the kids will enjoy, such as Harry Potter, or Eragon, Super Fudge, Babysitters Club, Chronicals of Narnia, etc. Something you think will appeal to the kids, though, and capture their attention. Give the book (or books) to the family for Christmas, and maybe the movie if it's one that has a movie. Then, schedule a night to read together as a family.

You could take turns reading, and helping the younger children read. Include some construction or drawing paper, crayons, a notebook, and a pen or pencil. Each night when you've finished reading a chapter or two, have everyone just write down their favorite parts to keep in the notebook. When the book is finished, have everyone draw something from the book for an art project.

*Puzzle Night*: Buy a puzzle or 2 at the dollar store, and then, find a place to set them up at, and take your time as a family putting them together.

Good luck! Many of these ideas are both fun and FRUGAL!