Christmas! Are you ready?

I can hear some reader saying, “Oh Yes, I can’t wait!” while others are saying “No way, not yet!” It can be very interesting to see both side of the Christmas joy and dismay. For both side of how Christmas is precede often includes the joy and celebration traditions the families have created. It a sad though, but Christmas just may be another day for some people. Those special memories, the magic of Christmas, and the amazement of staring at the Christmas lights all comes from how Christmas is spent.



Christmas can fill a person heart with joy and bring back memories of Christmas pass. Christmas can also be the crowded shopping stores, greedy people asking for everything, spending too much, and the hassle of possible bad weather. Those two sentences show the drastic difference people can feel when getting ready for Christmas. Everyone can have joy and happiness with Christmas, but it takes a little bit of work.



Stores can be an issue at Christmas time. I totally enjoy Christmas shopping though. Why? All the Christmas displays make me happy. Yes, my family one of those that will try everything in the aisle. My husband even enjoys Christmas shopping even though he not a fan of large crowds. It really is not the people he has an issue with. It happens to be the rude ones you might bump into. The ones we see articles in the newspaper for being demanding, pushing, and even fighting for a simple object. With a little love, kindness, patience, understanding, and caring for fellow man can solve all of the issues. Yes, I would be one of those parents who would give up an item my child really wanted just to not fight. Yet we have had many wonderful Christmases. Never have my children complain that they didn’t get something or about how much they got. They were thankful.



The magic of Christmas means a lot to me. My mother holds Christmas very dear and we both have very fond memories of Christmas. I have passed this on to my children. When they were very young we made Christmas day a day about the children and their new gifts. Instead of making a large meal that would make the parents send lots of time in the kitchen, we pre-made or made easy items. We did this so we could play with the children.



When the kids were old enough they started to help put up decorations. I love putting up the lights on the Christmas tree. One year I put up 21 strands on the tree. I wrapped each branch front to back. I blew the breaker and was ready to cry when my oldest son and husband came to the rescue. We safely got all the light to work. (Had to run some extra power cords to the Christmas tree.) Since that Christmas my son loves to help me put up the lights. He and my husband often talk about the Christmas I went overboard with lights on the tree. That Christmas tree sure was pretty. Now that Christmas is one of those memories that fill our hearts with love and joy every time we look at Christmas lights.



Christmas is all about the pass, present, and future. If Christmas has been like just another day, then it is time for a change. For those that don’t have a family there are churches, homeless shelters, and nursing homes that can all use some volunteers. What else could be better at Christmas then helping someone else? In return you find companions to help bring joy, love, and cheer into Christmas. After all those three things are all people need to have a Merry Christmas.

Christmas is coming

Christmas 2009

Many people are already shopping and planning for Christmas 2014. Making the budget stretch as far as it can to help surprise those special people in your life with something they really want can be very hard. All of that work is 100% worth it when those eye look up at you filled with love and joy.

Some of things people love the most about Christmas are not always the gifts. I love the trees, the lights, Christmas traditions and spending time with family. Years ago my husband and I decided to make Christmas day all around the children. For food we had anything that could be premade and warmed up like Cheese and Bean dip and chips. The kids love that we don’t spend too much time in the kitchen instead.


For some people Christmas is just another day. For me, that is the saddest thing to see. Christmas has such a special meaning. It a day celebrated by Christian for the birth of Christ. For some it’s a day to give and get gifts with family and friends. Such a loving time of the year to help chases away the winter blues with happiness, cheer, and giving.


What about the people who are alone on Christmas? Those are the people we all need to reach out to. If you know someone who is all alone try to do something nice for them for Christmas. That would be just want they need to help cheer them up. That can be a yearly tradition for the family to do something nice for some of the neighbors that are alone.

Blue Frog

Had to share this wonderful blue frog. Great for cheering up someone who has the blue. If you like frogs and blue this is the perfect gift for you. Stunning blue color with that cute little frog. Contact Edmond Hogge if interested. Plus there are even more color options, but I think blue is the best.

Crazy Frog Enamel Alloy Metal Necklace Pendant With Rhinestone More Color Option $12.99

Plus check out his page for even more at Backwoods Paracord Bracelets and More:
If you decide to like his page leave them a message and let them know who sent ya.

Christmas Cash

Christmas can be a very stressful time of the year. There is so much that people want to do and then thier budget just doesn't allow for their wants. Now cutting back and living in your budget is very important, but so is enjoying Christmas. Now I'm not saying by any means you should spend more then you have nor do I think charging Christmas is a good idea. Matter of fact charging is the worst thing you can do at Christmas time as it make the rest of the year harder.  Instead it best to start thinking about Christmas cash now.

Tucking away a little bit every week will help to make Christmas easier for you. Plus you may be even able to have a little extra for those rainy days. It used to be standard practice for people to make sure they had a nest egg saved up.. then charge cards and loan became more popular. Sadly I still have these but wish I didn't. One of the things I tell my kids is don't do it. Don't get a charge card and don't get a loan. Save up instead. Same for Christmas we need to save up. Put away $10 a week would be $520 dollars a year. Now that would be a very nice Christmas budget.

If you are already having a hard time making ends meet consider picking up a side hobby that can make money. For me writing is that hobby. I enjoy it, I learn, and I make money. I am by far not the worlds best writer and I'm sure an English major is shaking their heads, but it is fun.

Christmas cash can also be made by selling items. You can pick up good items at flea markets and garage sales. For me I like to use Listia. I list for free items I want to get rid of it and in return I get points. I then use those points for other items I want. A great way to get items for Christmas. Its also a great way to get rid of items you no longer need or bad gifts (although we know the giver had the best intentions.)

Many banks offer Christmas Clubs that earn higher interest rate then regular savings. They do this because they can use your money until Christmas. This is a great way to make money you can save grow.



Picture is by McGoo84

Listia - Good way to get and give items FREE

Listia is a wonderful site that you can give and get items for free. I know I was skeptical on the free words as well, but I have been using Listia for a few months now and I have gotten rid of things I don't need, like the bear charm, and got my kids items they wanted. Including a few things we needed around the house.

Listia allows users to post items up for auction, free of charge unlike places like ebay. What the catch, you don't get money you get points. Now many people off free shipping, which usually equals out to more points, but you can charge shipping as well. Points can also be earned by doing filling out surveys or even shopping online.

Points can be save up and used to bid on its. Like mentioned before there are many auctions with free shipping. So you can just earn points and bid on auctions with free shipping and get free items.


Spring Cleaning

Listia can be very helpful so we don't send useful items to the trash. If you see items that are good being thrown out while people spring clean, you can give them away on Listia, if you can't afford the shipping, not a big deal just charge for the shipping. Note: to charge for shipping hit the additional option button on the bottom left when listing an item.

Using listia throughout the year is a wonderful way to earn up points for Christmas and get some really neat Christmas items. There are also many craft items that can be turned into wonderful gifts or even better into a way for extra profits.


Really get Points too

When you first sign up they give you free credits and it is really easy to acutally earn points. On your "My Listia" page there is a spot to click for surveys. I love the one from Peanut Lab the most because I get some credit 90% of the time even if I get kicked out. Unlike many sites that have you feel out survey that take forever and then you get nothing back in the end. I have done a lot of survey but I have never spent more then 30 mins for a survey, plus I got credit for that survey.

If you check out Lisita don't forget to friend me too. I'm on there tracysmith159... if you send me a message I'll make sure to friend ya back.

Busy Bees

Everyone is busy getting ready for spring, spring cleaning, and hoping fun that nice sunny weather to come warm our skin. This is the perfect time of the year to keep Christmas in mind. Spring cleaning leads to sale and people getting rid of things they no longer needs. Those items can be used for other people. One man's garabage is another man treasure. Of course there a fine balance in it all, so share the love.


Don't throw away anything that other people can use. There are many people who have less then we do and/or have wonderful skills that can turn your junk into something amazing. Items can be delivered to a thrift store. Large donations can sometimes be picked up. You can even list an ad to give away free items or just place the item by the curbside with a free sign.

What does this have to do with Christmas? Now is the perfect time to keep an eye out for Christmas items, which are often sold cheaply during summer months and a wonderful time to pick up hobbies and things to make for Christmas gifts.

Spring is also a time to share the love. Most people enjoy a nice yard and maybe a garden. Is there a person near you who has a hard time getting around or just doesn't have time? Now is a good time to get to know them. Maybe they love a garden but just are unable to care for one? Just a little bit of your time can really make them feel better. Not only do you make their yard look better, and maybe gain a friend, but you also make the whole neighborhood look better. This simple act of kindness is part of that Christmas spirit we need to keep around all year long.

Christmas Lights Cup

One of the things I love the most about Christmas are the Christmas lights. I remember being a small child and laying under Mom's Christmas tree with my cat. Looking up at the lights until I fell asleep.

 Keep the Chistmas lights with you all year round while you enjoy some hot drinks. This is a wonderful gift for those who love Christmas lights!

Visit Here to get a up and/or customize a cup just how you want it.

Fixing

I'm working on fixing the Christmas blog. I have no clue what happened to all of the pictures, title, background. All gone somehow.  Looks like I may have been hacked. Well I get working on fixing it.

Its ok. I may not be able to fix all the picture for each article, but I can make the rest even better. 

Update: I'm currently in pause mode. I'm waiting to see if blogger can help me fix this as there are so many posts it will take a very long time. However I'll be doing more work on the weekend until its back in shape.

Christmas shapes pan

This cookie pan is very interesting. Not because it can do cookies, as many of us have the traditional cookie cutters. I can see more potential in the pan than just making cookies. Christmas shaped brownies, fudge, cakes and even a Christmas breakfast egg.

I just love rolling out and cutting my cookies with the cookie cutter with the kids. For me this pan would not be for cookies but for anything else I want to use the shapes for. With a little creativity we can show off the Christmas shapes in so many different foods that will supprise your Christmas guest.

This can be a great way to make gifts as well. You can turn many homemade items into Christmas shapes that will make wonderful gifts.

Pan can be viewed for purchase at:
 http://amzn.to/ZzEOBe

Christmas from Listia

I had to try this site out before sharing. I found I love Listia. I have received items 100% free, including shipping. How, I earned points by signing in, bidding, watching videos, and fill out surveys. There are so many sites that claim they give free stuff, Listia was hard to believe. However I can guarantee Listia can give you free items because I have used and received free items.

You can also sell for free on Listia, earning points. You can offer free shipping or charge for shipping. If you find an item you really really want you can buy extra points if needed.

Listia is a great way to help you on your Christmas list. There are lots of different items listed daily and it a great to get wonderful items either free or cheap. Listia is also a great way to get rid of unwanted items and make room for some new ones.