The Christmas Star..

Ever wonder if the star of Christmas really existed?  Check out this VERY interesting documentary about astronomy and and the Christmas Star!

Merry Christmas!

Free Christmas Printables

I love this free printable vintage bird Christmas card with money gift envelope!  This may come in handy if you forgot to buy a gift and you don't feel like shopping on Christmas Eve!  Or, like I ordered a few things on-line that promised to be here by Christmas...and are STILL waiting!  Find more printable cards here.

Merry Christmas!!

Want to earn $$$ just for doing your every day web surfing?

Sound too good to be true?  Have you tried Swagbucks yet?!  I was extremely skeptical about this program at first... A friend talked me into trying it, and now...I LOVE it!  Swagbucks is a free search engine powered by google that allows you to earn "swagbucks"  which you can then redeem for gift cards, prizes, music, etc...  So far, I have earned $25 worth of Amazon gift cards in just a few weeks!  This came in very handy when shopping for Christmas gifts!

Want to try it with me?  Here's how to earn the most with Swagbucks:

1. Sign up for Swagbucks here and get $3 Swagbucks just for starting up!

2. Make sure you download the Swagbucks tool bar.  (click on "tool bars" on the main page)This will remind you to search in Swagbucks, and also sends you messages when there are free Swag codes available.  Once you start searching, you will automatically start winning at random searches.  I usually win at least 2-3 times per day.  You can get anywhere from 1-100 bucks at any time.  I have mostly won 1's but have occasionally won bigger bucks for a single search.  If you have just gotten a swagbuck, chances are it will be a few more hours or searches till you earn another one.

3. Watch the Swag blog and your tool bar for Swag code alerts.  When a code is available, go to the swagbucks page and type it into "Enter a Swag Code"...and your account will be credited.

4.  Fridays are Mega Swagbucks days when you can win extra!

It's really that easy!  When you've saved up enough points, go to the Swag Store on the Swagbucks website, and exchange your swagbucks for a gift card or prize of your choice! Click here to start earning...

Snapfish Coupon

I love great photo deals!  Create a new account with Snapfish before Dec. 31st and receive a FREE photo mug, free photo cards and 50 free prints (pay only shipping)!  Click here to use this coupon.   .

Check out this great Uppercase Living deal!

Want to cozy-up your home or office and add some simple do it yourself decorating? These Amazing Specials won't last long...so order right away!

The holidays are almost here and Uppercase Living has the perfect gift for you!  Two exciting new promotions are being offered to help you save big this month. Until January 4 at 11:59 p.m. (midnight) MT, all 200 designs featured in the 2009 Fall/Winter Online Transition List can be purchased at 40% off!  In addition to this, your order over $50. will not be charged for shipping!

$5 Hallmark Coupon!

Click here to print this $5 off $5 or more coupon at Halmark! (Expires 12/24/09)
Thanks Dealightfully Frugal!

Christmas Fun-Getting to Know You

I was tagged by Dealightfully Frugal and also by Jen at JaelCustomDesigns.com to participate in this Christmas Meme. Stop by and check out their blogs!

1.) Have you started your Christmas shopping? Yes
 
2.) Tell me about one of your special traditions.  We like making Christmas crafts and ornaments, reading Christmas stories, eating yummy appetizers and cookies, and a birthday cake for Jesus, helping with our church city Christmas Celebration and dinner, spending time with family.
 
3.) When do you put up your Tree? Usually the weekend after Thanksgiving.
 
4.) Are you a Black Friday shopper? Only if it's a REALLY good deal!

5.) Do you Travel at Christmas or Stay home? A little of both.

6.) What is your funniest Christmas memory?  Nothing specific comes to mind, but probably my first Christmas I was with Jeff (my hubby)..he is so much fun, and always keeps me laughing! :)
 
7.) What is your favorite Christmas Movie of All time? Oh my...too many favorites! Charlie Brown Christmas, and Christmas Vacation are two..
 
8.)Do you do your own Christmas Baking, what’s your favorite treat? Some... we love making muffins, cookies, and my hubby always makes rice crispy treats.
 
9.) Fake or Real Tree? Real..we like to go to a local tree farm with our kiddos and choose our own.
 
10.) What day (as a Mom) does the actual panic set in to get it all done? Most of December, although I'm trying to remain calm.. :)
11.) Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve? No matter how much I try to plan ahead, I usually am.
12.) What is your favorite family fun time at Christmas? Watching kids open presents, relaxing and playing together.
13.) What Christmas craft do you like the best? Crafts with little hand-prints and footprints or pictures. :)
 
14.) Christmas music. Yes or No, and if yes What is your favorite song? Yes, I love singing and listening to my dad play Christmas music on his guitar. Favorite songs include almost anything on my Amy Grant Christmas CD's... I especially like listening to my kids sing!
 
15.) When do you plan to finish all your shopping? Hopefully this week!

We would love for any blogger to participate in this meme, even if you haven’t been tagged yet. Heather will go back and add your blog link to the list if you wanna play along. Just simply copy and paste the questions into your blog, and then answer them. Then tag 5 or more of your favorite blogs, and leave them a comment telling them they’ve been tagged.
When you post your blog, please spread some Christmas cheer, and leave a link back to Heather's Top Ten Christmas Blog, and the blog that you were tagged by.

Happy Christmas! :)

Christmas books we LOVE!!!

Looking for a meaningful and extra special Christmas book for your little one that is bound to be a favorite for years to come?  Here are just a few of our favorites this year...


Mortimer's Christmas Manger, by Karma Wilson, and Jane Chapman, is an absolutely adorable book about the Christmas story from a mouse's perspective.  My kids love this one!

Humphrey's First Christmas, by Carol Heyer is a beautiful story with with wonderful illustrations and funny camel expressions...you will absolutely love this one!

Alabaster's Song is a beautiful, imaginative story about an angel written by Max Lucado. This one has been a favorite in our house for a few years now.  There is also a DVD of this story and also board book version.

Does your family have a favorite Christmas story?  Post it here, we'd love to find more favorites! :)

Christmas Shopping

One of the things we love to do every year before Christmas is order from the World Vision Christmas catalog. It's kind of fun to go shopping for anything from sheep, goats, and chickens to garden tools or medical supplies for a needy family. World Vision sends you a gift card with a picture and description of your "purchase" which makes this a great "stuff free" Christmas gift for the person who has everything!

When my son was two years old, he said he really wanted to buy the little girl on the cover of the catalog holding a goat! He was so disappointed when I told him only the goat was for sale!

The kids have been having lots of fun poring over the catalog deciding what they want to buy this year. K  would like to get musical instruments for school children, and also clean water. J really has her heart set on buying a hippopotamus for someone, but she just can't find it in the catalog! :) Maybe she'll have to settle for a chicken!

If you would like a free World Vision Christmas catalog, or to view it online, click here

Silhouette Gifts...

I love making gifts for friends and family! Here's one of my favorite frugal holiday gift ideas that is relatively easy to make and will be cherished for years to come!

1. Take a clear side view picture of your subject...Make sure that it is a perfect side view and that they are looking straight ahead and not down.  For very little ones, I've found it's sometimes easier to get a good profile picture while they are watching TV!

2. Size your photo down to the size you want and then print it out.

3. Choose paper that is the right size and color for your project.  (I chose black to make them look like traditional vintage silhouettes)  Paper that is slightly thinner is easier to cut accurately and sometimes makes a prettier image.

4. Place the printed picture on top of the colored paper, and staple (not too close) around the outside of the profile just to hold it securely in place.  Sometimes it's easier if you carefully trace the profile with a contrasting colored pen or pencil before you cut.

5. Carefully and SLOWLY cut out the image. (small sharp scissors work best)

6. To finish your gift, mat your silhouettes on a contrasting color paper and frame it!

These also make great note cards (scan and print them), scrapbook pages, and if you cut them out of fabric instead...you can make beautiful pillows, tote bags, and t-shirts with your sweet children's faces on them!  Also, try doing a full body silhouette of your little one.  Enjoy!

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And The Winner Is....

YAAAY!!!  We have a winner of the Walls That Welcome giveaway!  The winner is..."Mommy Kennedy"!  Congratulations Mommy Kennedy, and be sure to check your email!  Thanks everyone that entered!