Tag: holiday crafts

The Holidays Are Coming in Hot

Posted on by Jordank

It happens every year — no sooner do the leaves start to turn and suddenly, it’s the #holiday season. This year, however, the #holidays are coming in particularly hot, so you can strap in for a wild couple of months of entertaining, socializing and shopping.

If you think that calendar “creep” is getting worse, you aren’t imagining it. “‘Summerween’ became a July phenom, pumpkin spice lattés launched at Starbucks in August, and Hallmark kicked off its Christmas movie hype in September,” says the advertising blog Muse by Clios.

With the economy on shaky ground and inflation on the rise, advertisers are focusing on value. You may have less money, time and energy to spread around during the season, not to mention fewer days to shop after a late Thanksgiving. How will you handle the season without succumbing to stress?

First, manage expectations of yourself, says UC Davis Health. Don’t overschedule. Calendar events and list your responsibilities. Simplify travel plans to reduce the time spent in cars and airports. Take a break when you fell stressed from #shopping, #cooking and #cleaning.

To stay within budget, manage your gift-giving. You don’t have to spend money you don’t have or give every single person you know a gift. You may be able to make some of the gifts you give or #thrift a few items at a discount. Crafting or baking homemade goods might even become a holiday tradition!

Make a list and check it twice, says the American Bankers Association. Note the people for whom you plan to buy, what your price range is and a few ideas for gifts. Look for bargains on the targeted gifts and (try to) resist impulse buying onscreen and in stores.

The holidays are also a season for giving to charity. About 1 million #veterans nationwide rely on SNAP benefits, which were recently interrupted; you can #donate to the local food bank to help solve some of that food insecurity at least temporarily.

You can also schedule a #donation #pickup at ClothingDonations.org to benefit #veterans at any time of year. Your lightly used #clothing and #household goods will be resold to fund programs that target food and housing insecurity, veteran health care, and more.

We’re in the thick of the holiday season already, but don’t stress. Get #organized — sort out what you need to do and tackle those essential tasks one by one. Then, kick back and enjoy!

Stretching Your Holiday Dollars

Posted on by Jordank

With inflation worldwide hitting 40-year highs, many shoppers are looking to keep their spending in check this #holiday season. Full of festivities and gift-giving, it’s already an expensive time of year, and you may have to stretch your dollars to make it memorable.

The first thing to do is set a holiday budget, writes Kentucky State University extension specialist Joanne Bankston. Include everything you’ll need to make the holidays happen: food, gifts, decorations, travel, greeting cards and other necessities.

Make a gift list, ballparking what you want to spend on each gift. Shop early to get the best deals, and get gift receipts if they’re available. Think creatively to save: Someone on your list might like a gift card or tickets to a show instead of merchandise.

Make something to give if you can bake, sew, knit or craft. A tin of homemade cookies, a jar of preserves or a handknit scarf will be more memorable and relatively inexpensive to make. You can also give the gift of time by helping out with chores, #organizing or decorating.

If you’re hosting a holiday gathering, you can save money by asking guests to bring a dish to pass or the beverage of their choice. Better yet, assign certain menu items to specific guests to avoid duplication.

Watch out for the hidden costs of the holidays, too, says DCU. Gift wrapping can add up, so get creative with used maps or newspaper. Shipping is another line item, and energy costs can spike if you have a lot of twinkling lights. Finally, you’ll likely have the temptation to treat yourself as you shop for others. Stick to your shopping list!

For good deals on lightly used household goods, holiday decorations, clothing and other goods, visit a #thrift or #secondhand shop supplied by #donations to ClothingDonations.org. Not only can you save money, but you’ll also contribute to essential veterans’ programs at the most critical time of year.

However much you spend, remember that interest rates are going up. To keep from overspending, pay any credit card balances in full every month, or use cash or debit cards instead. You may find it easier to limit spending when you use cash. Happy #shopping!

Make or Thrift Last-Minute Gifts

Posted on by Jordank

What’s more #sustainable than a #gift you make yourself? Food items are ideal — your homemade cookies and candies will be consumed without creating lots of #clutter or landfill waste. If you have a knack for sewing, woodworking or another craft, use it (quickly) to create a one-of-a-kind gift. You can also find lightly used household items (glassware, tchotchkes, gifts, games, etc.) to give at the #secondhand stores supplied by ClothingDonations.org. You’ll be helping #veterans and shopping local — while checking those last-minute gifts off your list. #SustainableShopping #LastMinuteGifts

Holiday Shopping That Won’t Break the Supply Chain

Posted on by Jordank

With supply chain issues affecting shipments of goods at ports worldwide and postal slowdowns in the the U.S., holiday shoppers are eagerly snapping up whatever merch they can get their hands on early in the season.

So far, few of this year’s “it” gift items are selling out — and if Black Friday and Cyber Monday were any indication, supplies of new TVs, voice assitants and other computer-enabled gadgets are meeting strong demand. But things can (and will) sell out.

If you want to satisfy everyone on your list this year, there are several ways to do so while avoiding supply chain issues:

1. Buy consumer goods now. Retailers started the shopping season early to cope with potential supply-chain issues, and regardless if those problems materialize, the best deals will disappear as shopping deadlines approach.

2. Order early to avoid delays. Dec. 11 is the last day certain retailers will guarantee delivery by Christmas due to distribution issues and shipping slowdowns. That’s a full two weeks ahead of the actual holiday, and your Prime membership may not help.

3. Give experiences instead of things. A gift certificate to a cooking class, massage therapist or local restaurant might be a thoughtful gift that doesn’t depend on the U.S. mail to arrive on-time. Digital subscriptions also deliver instant gratification.

4. Buy local, perishable and handmade. Not only will you support people and businesses in your community, but you’ll be able to sidestep any supply chain issues by buying goods and services that are already available locally.

5. Make your own. If you have a knack for sewing, woodworking or some other craft, get creative with your giving. The people on your list will appreciate a one-of-a-kind keepsake that took real effort.

6. Regift and thrift. Quality hand-me-downs make great gifts. If there’s something you own that just doesn’t get the love it would if you gave it to someone on your list, wrap it up and hand it off.

Also consider #decluttering and #donating any lightly used #clothing, household goods and other #stuff you no longer use to ClothingDonations.org. When you #donate used items, they are resold to fund a variety of veterans programs.

The #thrift stores that ClothingDonations.org supplies are a great source of holiday swag and ready-to-gift items, too! #Resale and #reuse is the ultimate in low-impact giving. Happy shopping!

Craft a Festive Holiday

Posted on by Jordank

Budding crafters know that all you need is creativity — and maybe a hot glue gun — to decorate for the #holidays in magnificent DIY style. Reader’s Digest has 50 foolproof ideas you can use to make your home into holiday headquarters, including jingle bell wreaths, rustic reindeer figurines and cinnamon stick candles. These and other holiday crafts can keep you and the kids busy while in #quarantine, and give you that warm holiday feeling that may be missing with so many travel plans cancelled this year.