Christmas Unplugged

Day 10
This year we bought some solar powered LED lights to put up outside. We don't have outlets on the front of our house, so in the past we've had to run cords inside through a gap in the doorway or the window (neither one a great option, and with a new door, the gap is gone now).

Besides not having to run cords inside some crazy way, we are cutting down on how much energy we're using to light up outside.

The LED lights aren't as bright as incandescents. The white ones actually look a bit more blue than white, but they still look pretty in the dark. They have built in sensors that turn the lights on when it gets dark enough so we don't have to worry about setting up timers (or figuring out why timers aren't working right either). We even got a snowflake light that changes color to use as the star above our outdoor nativity set.

I've read that in some places, utility companies have incentives for switching to led Christmas lights. Ours doesn't, but it's worth checking out if you decide to go that route. LEDs, especially the solar powered ones, cost a bit more than incandescents (which are way cheap these days, remember when they weren't?) but we were able to buy all of ours on sale after Thanksgiving.

Another cool thing I found lately was a set of battery powered pillar candles. These ones have a built in timer. You can set them to be on for 4 or 8 hours from when you turn them off. They'll automatically shut off after that time and then turn themselves on again the next day at the same time you originally turned them on. Real candles look better of course, but these aren't going to start a fire or burn your kids! The battery powered tea lights I bought a few years ago have to be turned on and off, but perhaps I will find some programmable ones sometime for a reasonable price.

Start A Family Gift Exchange

Day 9

It's a little late for this year, but now is a good time to talk with your family or extended family about starting a gift exchange for next year. Last year, we started a gift exchange with my husband's family. With seven kids and spouses and children, it was getting a bit crazy. With everyone's input, we were able to make up a schedule for the next several years. Each sibling has one sibling to buy for and one sibling gets them something.

My family is a bit smaller, so we haven't done this yet. But my sister and I have talked about doing something a little different for next year. She and I are going to each buy something for ourself to be a present from the other. Then on Christmas we'll call each other up to find out what we got for each other.

Other ideas I have heard include setting price limits, doing all homemade, doing a yankee swap, doing a white elephant exchange, or even giving things during the year and none at Christmas to focus more on the Savior at Christmas.

Doing a gift exchange or deciding to limit presents to kids or whatever can help with saving money (less to buy, less spent on shipping) and it can also help make things less hectic at this busy time that is supposed to be special.

Free Unique Holiday Picture Backdrop

Day 8

When my husband was a missionary, he and his companion took this picture to send home to their families for Christmas. I believe they took it at a Walmart.

Two years ago we took that same idea and took a picture at a Target. We probably should have picked an aisle that was less bare though!

If you need to take a family picture earlier than most stores have Christmas stuff (though seriously, that's getting to be less and less of a problem- Christmas stuff goes up with Halloween stuff now) hit the craft store. Some craft stores have Christmas stuff year round.

Holiday Notes to Self

Day 7

You think you're going to remember what you did this Christmas by next Christmas? Probably not. It's a good idea to write down reminders to yourself of what you put where, what worked and what didn't and so forth.

Gift Thrift

Day 6

The thrift store is a great place to get rid of things you don't need anymore and it's also a great place to find great deals on things you do need. At one of our local thrift stores, you can always find multiple shelves of glass items for super cheap. Candle holders, vases, wine glasses, bowls, etc. are plentiful. There are also many, many baskets and other items that could be freshened up with a quick spray painting and look like a million bucks. Take for example an ugly picture in a nice looking but tacky colored frame. Spray paint and something new inside can transform it.

At our local store there are also loads of books. Children's books were 3 for $1. I bought a large stack of books, some in brand new condition just the other day. One was a big hardcover Disney Peter Pan book, still just 33 cents!

For more info and tips about thrifting check out http://thethriftychicks.blogspot.com.

Deck the Halls and Donate the Rest

Day 5

Preparing to move in the next year has made this a bit easier for me, but lately we've been happy to get rid of excess stuff. Getting out the Christmas decorations and putting them up has been a time to evaluate what stuff really ought to go. Stuff that hasn't gone up in the past couple of years, things that I just don't like that much anymore, and stuff that I don't know what to do with are all going to be going to charity. Stuff that was broken (along with excess boxes and packaging) went in the trash (or recycling). I get calls from a few different organizations that pick up donations and I try to always say yes to a pick up. It's a good motivator to declutter. My excess Christmas decor is going to one of these charities next week. Now is a good time to donate, so someone else can enjoy it this Christmas season.

Another great thing to donate right now is gently used toys, books, and well really anything that might make a great present for someone else. Do it now, help someone else out, clear some space before the influx of Christmas gifts, and get some last minute charitable contributioning for those 2010 taxes.*

*yeah, I'm no expert, you'll have to check with someone who really knows about taxes to see what sorts of things you can deduct and all the details of that.

Makin' a List

Day 4

One thing that has helped us the past couple of years is making a list of what we'd like to do during the Christmas season at the beginning of December or earlier. We ask the kids, we make suggestions, and we write it down. Next we grab the calendar and plan out when we can do those things. If you wait until the middle of December, it might just be too late.

This is also a good idea if there are certain Christmas movies that you want to watch on TV. This is becoming less of an issue though with the internet, cable, and netflix.