If you’re planning to make gifts for Christmas, I recommend you see the ideas at Almost Frugal for handmade gifts with ribbons, embroidery, and thread. (I love this embroidered scarf.)  

My idea this week is a gift that takes only a few minutes and is easy enough for kids to help you make: Ribbon Belts.

But let’s be honest. Men don’t want ribbon belts, or anything else ribboned, embroidered, or bedazzled. Men like gear: tools and electronics in particular.

Desiree asked,
“I am really wanting to do mostly homemade gifts this year. The girls on the list are easy but I am having a hard time with ideas for guys. I would love some ideas…”

I asked Doug to help me think of handmade gifts when “crafty” isn’t a man’s style. Here is what he came up with:

Food:

• manly food like good quality beef jerkey
• peanut brittle
• chocolate chip cookies
• and oh yes, pies

Handmade soap that won’t dry his skin in the winter.

Something to keep his feet warm around the house.

One of Doug’s favorite birthday gifts ever was a time we went to the grocery store together. No matter what he put in the shopping cart, all I was allowed to say was “Mmm, looks good!” and “That will be great!” His friends came with us for fun. I know that’s not necessarily a homemade gift, but at least it wasn’t clutter, and it was something I could do for him.

Sometimes the ideas I see for staying warm at home don’t seem to apply to me. Add insulation to the attic? Hmm. Put in efficient storm windows? I don’t think so.  

If you live in an apartment, there are still simple ways you can stay warm. It’s even more important if you live in an older building where the quaint architectural features that add the charm also bring the chill.

Let’s stay warm this winter:

1. Tape over leaky cracks along the edges of windows. (I use clear packaging tape.) Check to make sure it won’t hurt the paint, but I haven’t found it to be a problem.

2. Roll up a blanket or towel and place it under doors or windows to block drafts.

3. Put on a sweater.

4. Insulate the windows by hanging a clear vinyl shower curtain behind the drapes. We did this in one room with three exposed walls, and it really helped to stabilize the temperature.

5. Bake something.

6. Close air vents to unused spaces.

7. If you have a fireplace, make sure the damper is closed. (Speaking from experience here.)

8. Keep closet and cabinet doors closed (except for cabinets with pipes during a freeze warning).

9. Buy a programmable thermostat — you can take it with you when you move.

10. A humidifier causes the air to feel warmer.

11. Cuddle up under quilts.

12. Use a space heater, carefully.

13. Put an electric blanket on your bed.

14. Drink something hot.

15. Switch the ceiling fans to turn in reverse.

16. Cozy up with a hot water bottle.

17. Apply weather stripping to doors or windows (easy and cheap).

18. Soak in a hot bath.

19. Wear wooly socks.

20. What is your best tip to stay warm?

We’re fixing things up in our apartment this week: cleaning windows, touching up the paint, and vacuuming behind the furniture. We’ve got the windows open to bring in the fresh air before the winter cold truly sets in.  We’re trying to spruce things up before we get out the Christmas decorations.  

Waiting for the paint to dry, I found some good reading:

Keep Our Lives Simple

• Challenge: Donate 5 Things — from Simple Sapien

Nurture Our Loved Ones

• Babywearing Action! — from SortaCrunchy (I’m so glad my blogging buddy Megan is back.)
• Babywearing - it’s not just for fussy babies — from The Things You Didn’t Do (Jen’s an adventuresome mom, and her baby Nate goes along for the ride.)

Learn Practical Skills

• The chicken, the egg, and the children — from Crunchy Domestic Goddess
• Almond Biscotti — from Chez Larsson

Make Smart Money Decisions

• Manage the Family Finances by Cutting Expenses AND Increasing Income — from Simple Mom

Enjoy Peace During a Hectic Day

• Worry - The Ultimate Freeloader — from Keeper of the Home

Have a wonderful weekend!

Taking a sick day used to sound so fun. You get to drink 7-Up, shuffle around in pajamas, and spend all day watching movies. Great, except for the part where you feel terrible.  

And once you have kids, being sick becomes a whole new reason for concern. There are no paid sick days for moms, and sick babies are pretty much the saddest thing ever. The photo is Lane with a cold on Christmas morning last year.

I’m trying to go into cold and flu season prepared this time. Here are a couple of things I’m doing to keep us healthy:

1.  A ridiculous amount of hand-washing.  Maybe 10 to 15 times a day with a bar of soap, and whenever we come home after being in public. I think hand-washing is what protected me when my coworkers refused to take sick days.  (Which reminds me… people, please take sick days.  No one wants to worry every time you cough in the next cubical or sneeze on their stapler. It’s not worth it.)

2.  Antiseptic.  When someone in our family shows the first signs of illness, I go around and disinfect the germ-prone surfaces with isopropyl rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball. I wipe the light switches, door knobs, phone, keyboard, faucets, and anything else that might have hidden germs lurking.

3.  Salt water. My granny’s remedy for sore throats is tried and true.  Dissolve a spoonful of salt into a cup of warm water and gargle with it. The salt is cleansing and helps soothe your throat. If you do it a few times when you first start feeling a sore throat, it can keep it from getting worse.

What I love about this:

1. Making it with your child is as fun as the finished result.
2. It uses basic supplies (no special tools needed).
3. Did I mention pop-up?!

More pictures and my simple pop-up instructions are here: Craft a Pop-up Doll House Scene

Now let’s go see the wonderful things you’ve been making!

Notebooks & Gifts

Notebook by Simply Vintage Girl

Personalized Little Notebook – from Simply Vintage Girl

A Set of Botanical Prints – from A Soft Place to Land

Fabric-Covered Notebooks – from Planning With Kids

Dates to Remember Book – from Snapshots of Us

Accordion-Style Book of Days – from Life as Mom

Mini Scrapbook Albums – from Such a Time Scrapbooking

Print Art for Infants – from Frugal Front Porch

Greeting Cards

Hand-made Monogrammed Notecards – from Vintage Mommy

Holiday Cards, & Picture Block Ornament – from Kirstyn Knits

Especially for Kids

Make Your Own Wrapping Paper – from Almost Frugal

A Self-Portrait Technique for Kids – from My Many Colored Crayons

Kid-Friendly Paper Ornaments – from Domestic Cents

Stars & Ornaments

Stars by Lost Button Studio

3D Paper Stars — from Lost Button Studio

Mini Album Ornament – from Gifts by Hand

Finnish Star – from Craft Ideas

3D Paper Snowflake – from Perspicacious

For More Ideas

(A few more links I want to include.)
Envelope Books — from Martha

Handmade Story Books — from Glitter Goods

Storybook Puzzle Blocks — from Chasing Cheerios

Paper Mosaic — from Carly and the Clan

Origami Nesting Boxes — from Martha

 
It can be painful to let go of things that you paid good money for, that still have some use left in them, or that you might need in the future. You just never know! But are those things worth keeping around just in case?

I received an email from a reader named Brittney who asked a very thought-provoking question about not being wasteful, but still finding the balance to simplify. Read on…

I think this topic is so significant. Brittney kindly allowed me to open it up for discussion, and I am eager to hear what you have to say.

Here are my thoughts:

• I tend to question things when I purchase them. Is this something I really want or need? Am I being a good steward in buying this? Once I no longer need something, I feel like it has served its purpose and can be freely given away. Of all the things I’ve ever given away or donated over the years, I’ve only wanted two things back, and they weren’t costly to replace. 

• It is good stewardship for someone to be using it, even if that person isn’t you.  You can bless someone in need with your excess. Many things do not store or age well, so it’s better for someone to use them before they become unusable in storage.

• Without a vast amount of time and motive, you can only repurpose a few things. I saved two pairs of pants from the last twenty items of clothing Doug gave away, with plans to make something from them. Realistically I won’t have time to do more than that, so there is no reason for me to keep and store the rest. I’m sure there will be more clothes in the future.

Ultimately for me, I think simplifying has made me a better steward. Since I’ve been trying to narrow my possessions down to what I truly want or need, I can better use what I have, and I don’t buy as many new things.

When I started Small Notebook earlier this year, I thought it was going to be my personal blog. A few months later as it gained readership, I was glad to transition to reader-focused articles, and I wrote less about our happenings.

If people spend five minutes of their day reading an article here, then I want it to be something helpful or inspiring, instead of something about me.

Sometimes when I read blogs though, I wish I could know a little more about the person writing it. I want to be able to see who they are and a little about what their life is like.

So here’s my life right now.

I don’t have a lot of pictures of myself. I usually think the picture is better if I’m behind the camera instead of in front.

A few little things about me: I would rather stay up late than get up early. Almost all of my shirts are solid colors, and I choose which color to wear that day based on my mood. I make great iced coffee. I love m&m’s too much, so I never buy them.

Doug and I will be married for five years on Saturday.

We met during college, one summer when I worked at a summer camp in his home town. We didn’t start dating until several years later.

He is seven years older than me, so he graduated high school before I started seventh grade. He was Valedictorian and captain of the football team.  If I could have told my seventh-grade self about him, my junior high experience would have been a lot easier.

I’ve been driving around for two months with a princess piñata in my car. The reason it got here in the first place is a story involving a bachelorette weekend, cowgirl hats, and Gruene Hall.

The reason the piñata stayed is because Lane adopted it as her car buddy. Her name is Brenda.

Lane is two, and she is happy almost all of the time. She wears band-aids every day because she likes them, and striped socks. She loves Curious George.

Lane has Celiac, and for the last several weeks she has been extremely sick, but we’re thankful she’s feeling better now. She has to avoid foods with wheat or gluten, and she also can’t have dairy. (I have an article in the works with some great resources — true helps to me!) 

Here is our little homestead-apartment.

Last year I became interested in learning about sustainability, and so I have been using a clothesline, making soap, gardening, and composting in our apartment. One day if we have a house I might have some chickens. I would really like to learn about beekeeping too.

Before I stayed home with Lane, I worked doing project management and human resources. I don’t think I’ll go back to it, although I appreciated having those jobs at the time. My favorite hobby is reading about how to do and make things. Most of my blog writing is done at night while my family is sleeping.

Blogging took me completely by surprise this year. I’ve been learning about it as I go. I so much appreciate how you’ve supported me by reading, subscribing, commenting, and even telling friends! Thank you.

My project is the simplest drawstring bag possible, made a little more unique with a vintage monogram.  I can picture a few of these hanging as ornaments on the Christmas tree.  Maybe they’d be a good place to hide some chocolate or secret messages.

Instructions:  Embellish Your Sewing Project With a Vintage Monogram

Next week I’m hosting your holiday projects made with paper!  I love the ideas I’ve seen so far.  Send me your link by November 10 to have your project included in the festivities.

Looking around at the stores and malls everywhere, it’s easy to see why shopping is one of America’s biggest sources of entertainment.

Carly decided to stop shopping for two weeks as a project for her Sociology class. Her assignment was to make a lifestyle change and observe how it impacted the people around her. She didn’t know it would make such an impact on herself or her marriage.

Carly’s story:

I have really bad spending habits, incessantly spending money I should be saving. It has placed a bit of a strain on my marriage as well, considering I’m married to a frugal super-saver.

After the summer we had, our savings account was dwindling. We had a $3000 plumbing emergency in our newly purchased house, bought a new truck, and subsequently had to pay the sales tax on said truck.

The first week of the project, I decided to spend my whole week’s worth of money on lunch with some coworkers. We had been talking about it for a couple weeks, and it was definitely worth it.

It was great to spend my money on something I really was looking forward to, rather than just another lunch. It was excellent.

The second week, I spent a little here and there, but still stuck to my budget. I was worried for all the things I’d be missing out on by not going to Target every other day at lunch or wandering around the mall after work to avoid homework, but I didn’t miss anything.

I got caught up on my homework, worked out every day with my husband, and really had more time to do things I enjoy because I wasn’t wasting time at the mall. I baked, I made candles, and visited friends. It was a highly productive two weeks, without spending money on needless things.

After the two weeks were up, we had already managed to put $300 in our savings account. That was enough to convince me to stay on this allowance/budget system. Not just me, but my husband is now on one. It’s been amazing for our marriage and my stress level.

I have more time to devote to my Bible Study, my homework, and working out. And I’m not as stressed out about money or time.

We have been able to put into our savings regularly, put a little extra toward my credit card, and enjoy the occasional meal out together, rather than an every-other day occurrence. We’ve also spent more time together, grocery shopping and going to Costco together, keeping each other (ok, me!) accountable.

I am happy to be saving more, but also to be less dictated by what I feel pressured to buy or have. I’m finding that I forget about most of these things I “need” by the time I have the time or energy to go get them, or I just put it on a list and save up. 


More “No Spending” Projects

A benefit of blogging about our annual No Spend Month is hearing from others who try their own projects to save money, become more aware of their spending, and practice self-discipline.

Here are a few who are currently blogging about their experiences:  

• We Take It Easy – blogging from Spain about limiting spending until the end of the year.
• Simple ~ Natural ~ Nourishing — limiting spending until the end of the year, including not shopping at the grocery store.
• Just Plain Joy — a limit of $300 for personal and household spending during November.
• (Update) Saving Advice — a limit of $400 for personal and household spending during November.

 
I really enjoyed what I’ve been reading this week. They are all related to what I want to do in my home: 

Keep Our Lives Simple

• Living Simple Saturdays- Ditching Discontentment by Keeper of the Home (one of my new favorites)
• Decorating “Smecorating!” by A Place Called Home (found via Like Merchant Ships, thanks Meredith!)

Nurture Our Relationships

• “I Love You…” by Happy Things (This post should be made into a children’s book, really.)

Learn Practical Skills

• Five Frugal Meal-Planning Tips for Busy People by The Lean Green Family
• Keeping Gardening Records Year to Year by Simple, Green Frugal Co-op (a new group blog by resourceful writers, speaking of… )
• Life Rolls On by Beauty that Moves (Heather is processing 100 pounds of apples, and making pie fillings to freeze for later.)

Make Smart Money Decisions

• Costco: A Relationship on the Rocks by Scribbit
• How much of your mortgage is going toward clutter storage? by Unclutterer

Enjoy Peace During a Hectic Day

• Seeking Simplicity by Emily at Remodeling this Life , who also said, “I am thankful for a sink full of dishes at the end of the day because it means we eat well.”