Frugal Tip - holiday themed gift baskets

Sometimes gift baskets can actually be a very frugal gift even though when sold in stores they tend to be pricey. Basicaly if you can get the supplies yourself on sale or with coupons etc., you can make it as big or small as you would like to for a fraction of the cost!!!


These are some cute themes!! Many go with things you can make home made, but add a cute theme or tag to it, some are just cute extras at small costs you can add to a card for someone you want to do more than just a card for but can't really afford to buy an actual gift !!

1. M&M's - "Have a Merry and Most wonderful Holiday Season!!"
2. Soup or soup mix - Wishing you a "Souper" Holiday Season!!
3. Frozen or ready to bake pizza - "Warm up to a wonderful Holiday Season Topped" with Christmas cheer!"
4. Apples and Hershey's Hugs - A teacher can't live by apples alone...She needs "Hugs" too!!
5. Popcorn Balls - Hoping you have a "Ball" this Holiday Season!
6. Loaf of Bread - For being there when you were "Kneaded", for "Rising" to the occasion, large or small. For never "Loafing" on the
job, for helping others to "Heel" with TLC. No matter how you "Slice it", you do a terrific job loving Others. Merry Christmas!!
7. Jolly Ranchers - Have a Holly"Jolly" Christmas!!
8. Rootbeer - We're "Root"ing for you to have a Happy Holiday Season and a Wonderful New Year!!
9. Chex Party Mix - Remember Santa "Chex" his list twice to see who's been naughty or nice...so be good for goodness sake!! Merry Christmas!!
10. Box of Hostess Ho-Ho's - Hope a merry "HO - HO - H0" fills your heart the whole year through! (Put a Santa sticker on the label)
11. Wire Wisk - (Filled with Chocolate kisses) "We WHISK you a Merry KISSmas!!"
12. Jar of Jelly - jelly is like love - you can't spread it around without getting some on yourself! Merry Christmas!!
13. Christmas Tray - We "Tray"sure your friendship! Merry Christmas!!
14. Bell - With each chime of this festive bell, may a Christmas wish come true. And bring you peace and happiness to last the whole year through! Merry Christmas!
15. Yule Log - "We send you warm greetings this Christmas Season!!"
16. Potpourri - "May this sweet scent bring back thoughts of warm Christmases long ago!" Merry Christmas!
17. Cleaners - "You add sparkle and make our life brighter!" Merry Christmas!
18. Nuts - "We're nuts about you!" Merry Christmas!
19. Lifesavers - " You've been a life saver!" Have a great Christmas!
20. A juice pitcher filled with candy canes- "We pitcher you raising a little "cane" during the holidays!" Have a merry Christmas!!
21. Broom - You're "Dust" the finest neighbors we know! Merry Christmas!
22. Paper Towels - "Blot out your troubles; absorb the Christmas Spirit!"
23. Measuring Cup or Glass Measure - "Wishing you Joy Beyond Measure!
24. Bananas - If we could choose our friends, and we searched the whole world through, we'd go bananas trying to find a better bunch than you!!"
25. Any Star ornaments - "Remember the reason for the season!"
26. Chocolate Mousse Mix - "Merry Christmousse" to our "Deer" Friends!
27. Wooden spoon - Whether stirring up cakes, cookies, soups or soufflés; You'll find this spoon useful in so many ways. But whatever it's use, it says, "Merry Merry Christmas from us to you!"
28. Flower - "If friends were flowers, we'd pick you! Happy Holidays!! Or "You make friendship bloom all year round!"
29. Heart Christmas Ornament - "May the Joy and Love you give away, come back to you on Christmas day!"
30. Cinnamon Sprinkles - (Cinnamon & Sugar, or cookie sprinkles) "May your Christmas be sprinkled with laughter and love!" Merry Christmas!
31. Hershey's Hugs - "A friend always knows when you need a little hug!"
32. Christmas music CD or Tape - "May the sweet song of Christmas make your heart rejoice!" Or "May the merry sounds of Christmas bring a Joyful Melody to your holiday season" Merry Christmas!!
33. Filled Basket - "Wishing you a basket full of Christmas blessings"
34. Salsa - "Add a little Spice to your Holidays!" Merry Christmas!
35. Stocking or filled Jar - "Have a fun filled Christmas this year!"
36. Lamb - "Have "eweself" a Merry little Christmas!!"
37. Candle - "May your days be happy, your heart be light, your Christmas merry and the New Year Bright!!
38. Holly - "Happy Holly days!"
39. Calendar - "Keep Christmas in your heart the whole year through!"
40. Shaped Sugar Cookies - "Rolling out a batch of Christmas Cheer, for Someone we think is very dear!!"
41. Cherry 7-up - "Just a Little Christmas Cheer from Happy Hearts this time of year!! Merry Christmas!!"
42. Sparkling Cider - "Wishing you a Sparkling Holiday Season!"
43. Warm Casserole or Bread - "Bundled up with warm wishes!!"
44. Popcorn or Carmel Corn - "Just "Popping" by with a Holiday Hi!" Or "May your Holidays be Poppin'!"
45. Seasoning Mix - "Seasoned with Love" Merry Christmas!!
46. Eggbeater - "Have an "Eggstra" Special Holiday!!"
47. Hershey's Hugs and Kisses - "Christmas Hugs and Kisses to You " Or "Holiday Hugs and Kisses to you!"
48. Apple Pie of Apple Crisp - "Wishing you a Scrumptious Christmas!"
49. Fruit Basket - "May your New Year be Festive and Fruitful!!"
50. Any Sweet Treat - "Wishing you a season filled with sweetness!"
51. Oranges - " Orange" you glad we're Friends!?" Merry Christmas!!
52. Chocolate Orange - "Orange" you glad it's Christmas? Hope your Christmas is a Sweet one!
53. Sprite - " May your Christmas be Merry and Sprite!"
54. Ice Cream Snowballs and Hot Fudge - " Here's some packaged"snowball" treats - Just Drizzle Hot Fudge and its ready to eat!...Enjoy!!"
55. Snicker Bar - "Don't "Snicker", just be glad you got Something!!"
56. Mints - "Friends like you are worth a Mint!!" Merry Christmas!!
57. Matches - "No one Matches you as neighbors!" Merry Christmas!
58. Strainer - (With a Christmas bow) " We couldn't restrain ourselves from wishing you a very Merry Christmas!!"
59. Box of Light Bulbs - "Have a bright and radiant Christmas"
60. Bubble Gum or Bubble Bath - "May your holidays "Bubble" over with fun!!
61 Pencil and Notepad - "Merry Christmas from our pad to yours!!" or Merry Christmas to a "noteworthy" friend!"
62. Jar of Pickles - "Just in brine, Our wish for a merry Christmas!!"
63. Grater and Cheese - " To a Grate Neighbor! Merry Christmas!"
64. Ice Cream - "Have a "Cool" Yule!!"
65. Bear shaped Honey - "Have a Bear Sweet Christmas!!"
66. Santa - "Ho - Ho - Hoping your Christmas is Heavenly!"
67. Angel - "Hoping you have a Heavenly Christmas!!"
68. Eggnog - " Have an "Udderly Moovalous" Christmas!!"
69. Gingerbread House - "Nibble, Nibble like a mouse, We hope you'll nibble at this house!" Merry Christmas!!
70. Mugs with Hot Chocolate Mix - "To our special friends who are so Dear, We wish you all a cup of Cheer!" (One Mug would be a special gift for a Teacher. "To a Special Teacher dear, wishing you a "Cup of Cheer"!"
71. Cocoa Mix - "Wishing you a warm and wonderful Christmas!"
72. Muffins or Muffin mix - " You're getting "Muffin" for Christmas!!"
73. Gum - "By Gum, You're a great Neighbor!! "Have a Merry Christmas"
74. Veggies and Dip - "Dip into a wonderful Holiday season and a Healthy New Year!"
75. Christmas Shaped pasta - ( Or any Pasta and a bottle of Sauce ) " Have a Pasta-tively Happy Holiday!"
76. Jar of Jam - "Hoping you have a Holiday "Jammed" packed with fun!!" "Have a "Berry" nice holiday season!!" Or "Hoping your Christmas is "Jam-packed" with Christmas Cheer!!"
77. Cookie Dough - "Here's a little extra "Dough" for Christmas! Or "Everyone Needs a little extra "Dough" for Christmas!!"
78. Homemade Frozen Rolls - "Here's a little holiday treat. Rise and bake, it can't be beat! Warm fresh rolls just for you. Top with butter that's all you do! Warm Holiday Greetings to you"
79. Brownie Mix - (Or any Mix) "Whip up this mix for a wonderful holiday fix! Wishing you a "rich" Holiday Season!!" (Be sure to attach the recipe!)
80. Homemade caramels - Hoping you have a "Rich" and "wonderful" Holiday!!"
81. Pie - "Just a "Holiday Hi" and a tasty Pie!! Happy Holidays!!"
82. Divinity - "May your Christmas be "Devine" and your Holidays so Fine! Sweet Christmas Wishes!"
83. Rice Krispie Treats - "Snap, Crackle, Pop" We think You're really Tops! "
84. Toffee or Brittle - "Any way you break it, We think you're the greatest!"
85. Fudge - "Fudge" a little on the calories and enjoy the Holiday Season!"
86. Cheese Ball and Crackers - "We don't mean to sound "Cheesey", we just hope you have a "Ball" this Holiday Season! Or "Spread a little Christmas Cheer this Holiday Season!"
87. Apple Anything - (Pie,Cobbler, crisp, muffins etc.) "Sending you a "Bushel" of love this holiday Season!!" Or " You are the apple of my eye, Teacher!"
88. Banana Bread - "Banana Bread just for you, because you have so much to do... We also love you a whole "Bunch" too! Merry Christmas!"
89. Cinnamon Rolls - "Here's a sweet treat "Rolled" up with warm Holiday Wishes! Merry Christmas!"
90. Homemade Chocolates - " You're so Sweet...having you as neighbors is really a treat! Have a Heavenly Holiday Season!"
91. Cake or Cupcakes - "You take the "Cake" neighbor, We think you're first rate! Happy Holidays to you!!"
92. Cornbread or Mix - "We're not trying to be "Corny" we just want you to have Merry Christmas!"
93. Carrot Cake - " I Really "Carrot" a lot about you!! Merry Christmas"
94. Spiced Drink Mixes - " Hoping your Holidays are "Spiced" Just right!"
95. Homemade Ice cream of a Frozen Treat - "Here's the Scoop,,,,Hoping your Holidays are a "Blizzard" of fun!"
96. Recipe - "Just like you friend...it's tried and true, just for you! Happy Holiday Baking or Merry Christmas Cooking!"
97. Pizza - "Hope your Holiday has a touch of "Pizza - z!!" Merry Christmas!!"
98. Candle - "You Light up my Life!" Thanks for your friendship! May your Christmas be Merry and Bright!"
99. Crayons and Coloring Book - Hope your Holidays are Colorful!
100. Plant - " The kindness you show makes our friendship grow and grow! Hope you have a Happy Holiday!!"
101. Soda Pop - "I'd "Soda" like to wish you a merry Christmas!
102. Stuffed animal - (Beanie Baby) "Pawsing" to wish you a Merry Christmas!"
103. Donuts - "Donut" you know we love you??? Have a happy Holiday!

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countdown to 25 days of christmas

11/16 9pm/8c The Notebook

11/17 7pm/6c Santa Baby
11/17 9pm/8c Holiday in Handcuffs

11/18 6pm/5c Aladdin
11/18 8pm/7c Curious George

11/19 8pm/7c Garfield

11/20 7pm/6c A Carol Christmas

11/21 7pm/6c Christmas in Boston

11/22 All Day Holiday Movie Marathon

11/23 8pm/7c Holiday in Handcuffs

11/24 9pm/8c Unlikely Angel

11/25 9pm/8c Snow Dogs

11/26 7pm/6c Sons of Mistletoe

11/27 8pm/7c The Notebook

11/28 8pm/7c The Family Man

11/29 7pm/6c A Boy Named Charlie Brown
11/29 9pm/8c Snoopy Came Home

11/30 8pm/7c A Dennis the Menace Christmas

Click Link----Video Player Highlights

11/1 12/31 Santapprentice*

11/1 11/30 The Fantasticks*

11/1 11/30 The Pebble and the Pengiun*

11/16 12/31 Eloise Little Miss Christmas*

11/16 12/31 The Happy Elf*

11/17 12/31 Special Delivery*

11/22 12/31 Christmas in Boston*

11/24 12/31 Picking Up and Dropping Off*

11/28 12/31 Christmas Do-Over*

Witch Hat Favor Bag Made With Cello

Materials
candy corn
medium clear cellophane bag
8.5 x 11 black linen cardstock – 2 sheets
36” natural twine

Tools
scissors, hole punch
double-sided tape
compact disc, compass
pencil

Please purchase the Cello Bags for this and other projects here
Please put Rep # 1338 in the rep box.

Directions

Fill the medium cellophane bag with 1 1/2 cups of candy corn. Tie a 3” piece of natural twine around the neck of the bag to close it.

Using your compact disc, trace the outside and inner circle of the cd with your pencil on the black cardstock. Cut out both circles with your scissors.

Use a compass to create the top of the witch’s hat. Place the point of the compass at the corner of the black cardstock. Draw a quarter of a circle with a radius of 5 inches. Cut along the line.

Twist cardstock into a cone shape. Use double-sided tape to adhere the sides together.

Use a hole punch to punch two holes, directly opposite of each other, on each side of the inner circle of the brim. Punch two holes on opposing sides of the bottom of the cone that match up with the brim holes.

Starting at the bottom, pull the remaining twine through the holes of the brim. Then pull the twine through the holes in the cone from the inside to the outside. Wrap the twine as many times as you can around the hat and tie a bow to secure the ends.

Place the hat on top of the cello bag, making sure the excess cellophane goes through the hole in the brim of the hat.

Cut out two black 1/2” squares from your remaining cardstock and adhere with double-sided tape to the “face” of the witch!

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ABC FAMILY’S 10th ANNUAL ‘13 NIGHTS OF HALLOWEEN’

THE CREEPY AND CRAWLY LURK AROUND EVERY CORNER IN
ABC FAMILY’S 10th ANNUAL ‘13 NIGHTS OF HALLOWEEN’

For the tenth year in a row, ABC Family brings viewers fright-full evenings during its 13 NIGHTS OF HALLOWEEN programming event. The ABC Family premieres of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III” and “The Addams Family” movies will join other Halloween themed programming airing the 13 nights leading up to Halloween (October 19 – October 31).

Following is a listing of programming thrills and chills taking place October 19-31 during ABC Family’s 13 NIGHTS OF HALLOWEEN.

ABC Family's 13 Nights of Halloween Schedule

Night One – Sunday, October 19
The 10th annual 13 NIGHTS OF HALLOWEEN begins with a day full of screams starting with The Witches at 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM ET/PT, where a young boy comes across a convention of witches with devastating results. Right after the witchy adventure watch as a small town is terrorized by monsters in Gremlins (1:30 – 4:00 PM ET/PT). Then settle in for the afternoon with a butt-kicking ninja marathon starting with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at 4:00 – 6:00 PM ET/PT, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (6:00 – 8:00 PM ET/PT) and then the ABC Family premiere of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III at 8:00 – 10:00 PM ET/PT.

Night Two – Monday, October 20
“Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize” with the airing of The Haunted Mansion at 8:00 – 10:00 PM ET/PT. Eddie Murphy stars as a father who brings his family to a haunted house that hides a much darker secret.

Night Three – Tuesday, October 21
The screams ring out when Scariest Places on Earth returns at 10:00 – 11:00 PM ET/PT. Host Linda Blair guides viewers as they take a look at some of America’s greatest urban legends and investigates each famous spot.

Night Four – Wednesday, October 22
Say this man’s name three times and you are in for quite a terrifying ride! Beetlejuice wreaks havoc for a married couple at 8:00 – 10:00 PM ET/PT. The film stars Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis and Winona Ryder.

Night Five – Thursday, October 23
They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysteriously spooky – they’re The Addams Family. In the ABC Family premiere, the eccentric family must deal with an Uncle Fester imposter from 8:00 – 10:00 PM ET/PT. Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christina Ricci and Christopher Lloyd star. The night concludes with an episode of the fan favorite Scariest Places on Earth (12:00 – 1:00 AM ET/PT), where the Monahan family tackles Vlad the Impaler’s lair in Transylvania.

Night Six – Friday, October 24
The shenanigans of the macabre Addams Family continue with Addams Family Values at 8:00 – 10:00 PM ET/PT. This go-round the family must come to their uncle’s rescue when a gold-digger targets him as her new love. Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christina Ricci and Christopher Lloyd star.

Night Seven – Saturday, October 25
The weekend is full of witches, ghosts and the undead and starting it off is Casper Meets Wendy at 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM ET/PT with the world’s friendliest ghost. The day continues with a cauldron full of spells with the film Teen Witch (1:00 – 3:00 PM ET/PT) about one unpopular high school student who uses her new found powers to get revenge. The eerie fun continues when Hocus Pocus airs at 3:00 – 5:00 PM ET/PT starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy. Follow the Sanderson sisters on their quest for immortal life and the 300 year-old cat that tries to spoil their dastardly plans. Then true love is doomed in Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (5:00 – 7:00 PM ET/PT) when Victor (voiced by Johnny Depp) finds himself mistakenly married to a corpse bride (voiced by Helena Bonham Carter). The Scooby gang reunites when each member arrives to a mysterious island to investigate strange occurrences in Scooby-Doo (7:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT). The film stars Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard and Linda Cardellini. The mystery fun continues with the airing of Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (9:00 – 11:00 PM ET/PT). The Scooby squad is back at it, this time trying to track down a masked villain who wreaks havoc at the Coolsville Museum of Criminology. The evening comes to a screaming halt when six dinner guests are thrown into a murder mystery in Clue (11:00 PM – 1:00 AM ET/PT).

Night Eight – Sunday, October 26
The wicked weekend continues with another day of haunted humor, starting off with a teenager who finds out her past holds a lot of spells and flying broomsticks in Teen Witch at 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM ET/PT. The day continues as viewers get a double dose of family wackiness with Morticia and Gomez in The Addams Family (1:00 – 3:00 PM ET/PT) and Addams Family Values (3:00 – 5:00 PM ET/PT). Then listen for the deadly wedding bells that are ringing for Victor and his undead bride in Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (5:00 – 7:00 PM ET/PT). The other-worldly hijinks continue with Beetlejuice at 7:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT. Frightening terrors conclude the evening with the horror classic Poltergeist at 9:00 – 11:30 PM ET/PT. Craig T. Nelson, JoBeth Williams and Heather O’Rourke fight the supernatural spirits that haunt their house.

Night Nine – Monday, October 27
New York City gets the scare of a lifetime when the mother of all lizards attacks the city in Godzilla (8:00 – 11:00 PM ET/PT). The film stars Matthew Broderick and Hank Azaria.

Night Ten – Tuesday, October 28
The un-holy hauntings continue at 10:00 – 11:00 PM ET/PT with Scariest Places on Earth as they take viewers on a tour of America’s most gruesome institutions, including Moundsville, WV prison and Dixmont, PA mental institution.

Night Eleven – Wednesday, October 29
Hold on to your seat as four lethal ninjas take you on the ride of your life as they fight evil all across the world in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (5:00 – 7:00 PM ET/PT), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (7:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (9:00 – 11:00 PM ET/PT).

Night Twelve – Thursday, October 30
All the Scooby snacks in the world won’t be able to help the gang as they track down dastardly culprits in Scooby Doo (7:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT) and Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (9:00 – 11:00 PM ET/PT). The evening comes to a haunting conclusion with an episode of Scariest Places on Earth at 12:00 – 1:00 AM ET/PT where one unlucky family get the unfortunate task to tackle Bathory Castle, home of the infamous Blood Countess.

Night Thirteen – Friday, October 31
The petrifying thrills come to a frightening end on the most haunted night of the year. To celebrate this ominous night, ABC Family will air Poltergeist (7:30 – 10:00 PM ET/PT). The story of one girl’s supernatural connection that brings evil spirits into her family’s house stars Craig T. Nelson, JoBeth Williams and Heather O’Rourke.

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Memorial Day

I just wanted to wish everyone a Safe Memorial Day and to say thank you to the families of the soldiers who gave their lives protecting and serving our country and freedom. I want to thank the soldiers who are serving and protecting us now.

MEMORIAL DAY
A time for picnics, time off work -
Vacations and the "Indy" -
A holiday, too often times
We forget what, it should be.

A time to pay respect to those
Who rallied to the battle cry -
Who gave their lives for liberty -
Those freedoms for you and I.


Such a waste of brave young souls -
Some still struggling through their youth
Who faced and fell willingly
Before wartimes' awful truth.


So as we share this holiday
With our friends or family -
Take a moment to give thanks to
Those who died so we'd stay free.


Let us strive for world peace -
For the end of greed and hate -
For next time, after "the war"
It just may be too damned late.

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Good Friday

Well, my plans for today are to go get my hair cut and spend some time with my daughter. We haven't had a girls day in a while.

I have no idea how I want my hair cut! lol I so don't like the place I go, but the place I liked my hair dresser left, so I am now stuck!

I have been spending a lot of time on mylot lately. This is a site where they pay you to write discussions. So cool right.

If interested, give it a try http://www.mylot.com/icyorchid
Minimum payout is $10 and I am just about there! WOO HOO!!

Well, I guess that's it, have a Happy Friday!

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