Christmas on a Shoestring Budget - Idea #8

Chocolate Chip Bread

In mini Christmas Loaf Pans

Ingredients:

1 box yellow cake mix

1 cup chocolate chips

Supplies

Decorative dishes (Michaels – ceramic $1.50)

Bags or cellophane

Ribbon

Tags

Directions:

Follow directions on cake mix

Add in chocolate chips

Pour into decorative dishes

Bake

Christmas on a Shoestring Budget - Idea #7

“We Whisk You”

Supplies:

Whisk (look at the Dollar Store)

Hersey Kisses

Card stock – (For the gift tag - Printer or do it by hand)

Cellophane or cute bag

Ribbon

Directions:

Take your whisk, add in some Hershey Kisses

Make a gift tag: “We whisk you a Merry Kissmas!”

Wrap it up with the cellophane or a cute clear bag, add the ribbon and gift tag

Christmas on a Shoestring Budget - Idea #6

Fabric Plates

Ingredients:

Clear glass plate(s)

1 yard Fabric

Directions:

Clean plate

Cut fabric 3/4 inch larger than plate

Cover back of the plate with a generous dollop of Mod Podge

Wet and dip the fabric in Mod Podge

Lay the wet fabric right side down on the back of the plate and center

Starting at the middle of the back of the plate, work all air bubbles toward edge of the plate

Let dry overnight

Cut excess material away from the plate with a good pair of sharp scissors

Apply layer of polyurethane sealer, let dry, sand slightly, apply second coat.

FYI: With a yard of fabric you should be able to make 10 plates. I’m not sure on the cost of the Mod Podge, but once you’ve made this purchase, it will last a long time.

Christmas on a Shoestring Budget - Idea #5

Microwave Caramels

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup light Karo syrup

1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

Directions:

Combine all ingredients

Cook 6 minutes, stirring every two minutes

Stir and pour into a lightly greased dish

Let cool

Cut, wrap in wax paper & store in air tight container

Thank you Food.com for this recipe!!

Christmas on a Shoestring Budget - Idea #4

Cookie Containers

Supplies:

Empty Pringles or Lays Stackers Containers

Cardstock or wrapping paper

Double sided tape or Elmer’s Glue

Embellishments

Directions:

Measure the card stock or wrapping paper.

Cut it and glue it to the container.

Decorate with stickers or ribbon.

Fill with your favorite cookie.

Christmas on a Shoestring Budget - Idea #3

Napkin Rings

Supplies:

For 8 napkin rings

Four (empty) toilet paper rolls or 2 paper towel rolls (cut into 2” sections)

Scrap burlap

Ribbon

Embellishments ( a stamp pad and a stamp would be great to stamp on the burlap)

Modge Podge

Directions:

Start by cutting your toilet paper rolls in half so they’re about 2 inches each.

Cut the burlap into 2.5 inch strips. Working with one piece of toilet paper roll at a time, use a foam brush or paint brush to slap some modge podge on the roll and then cover with a piece of burlap.

Use a clip to keep the burlap in place. Spread a light layer of modge podge on top of the burlap and let it dry for a few hours. Don’t worry, the modge podge will dry clear.

At this point you can fringe the edges of the burlap if you want, by pulling out a few strands. This just creates a fringe and prevents it from fraying.

Tie a piece of ribbon around the center and secure it with a knot. Attach one of your embellishments to the ribbon.

You know have a brand new set of napkin rings to match your party’s theme! Where’s my dinner invite?

Thank you Twoityourself.blogspot.com for this idea!!

Christmas on a Shoestring Budget - Idea #2

Snow Delish

Supplies:

Clear glass plates (you can purchase these at Wal-Mart)

White Sharpie Pen (oil based) or

White Enamel Paint (either of these will work)

Directions:

Wash and dry plates. I found that if you use rubbing alcohol they get a lot cleaner.

Turn plate over…design!

To set the marker or the paint, place plate in a cold oven, turn oven on to 375 and bake for 20 minutes. Leave plates in oven and turn oven off. When cool, remove from the oven!

I forgot to mention in yesterday's post... if you'd like to do these projects with me, send me an email at Lisa@aprincesstea.com and we will set something up!!

Thank you Better Homes and Garden for this project!

Christmas on a Shoestring Budget - Idea #1 - Hershey Nugget Trays

Supplies:

Hershey miniatures

Cardstock (the more the merrier)

Ribbon

Tags (pre-made or make your own)

Pretzel bags

Double sided tape

Directions::

Measure and cut your card stock

1-7/8" x 4-1/4" and score 1/4" in on each side. Crease the folds with a Bone Folder. 

Cut 4 pieces of various patterns of card stock 1" x 3" each

I used regular adhesive on one end and a small piece of double sided tape on the other end

Starting with the end with the adhesive begin wrapping the card stock around the Hershey's Nugget.

Pull tight, and seal the end with the Sticky Strip. You can get 4 to each bag..

Using pretzel bags (these can be found in the cake decorating/candy aisle of your local craft store)

Slip the tray with candy into the pretzel bag.

Stamp your greeting, choose your ribbon, and

Punch a hole and tie the ribbon in two knots to hold secure. Finish it off by trimming the top of the pretzel bag.

Thanks to Heidi at Stuck on Stampin for this project!!

Are you ready? Christmas on a Shoestring Budget!

So it begins! Monday I will be posting ideas for you to do for Christmas. I hope you're excited, I know I am. I thought I had a lot of ideas, wrong! But don't fret, I found some more!! Along with the ideas, if I can I will post pictures, directions and where to find the items. Oh and hopefully the cost! Estimate only.

See you Monday!

Lisa

Christmas on a Shoestring Budget - Coming Soon!

Can you believe that Christmas is only 6 Sunday's away? Me either! Are you ready? I think I have part of one gift, but that's it.

I'm here to tell you there's hope for the holidays!! Starting November 18th and ending on December 16th, I will post ideas for you to do that won't cost you a huge amount of money and will take care of that long list of people you want to bless this year.

With the ideas, if I can I will also give you the instructions, where to buy and the recipe for that day's tip. Some of the ideas will involve baking or crafting. Don't get scared on either of these. You DO NOT have to be a gourmet chef or a crafty person to do some of the ideas I will be sharing with you.

The holidays do not have to be a stressful time and if I can help make them easier for you, I'm a happy person!

So mark your calendars, grab a cup of coffee or tea and let's get ready to have some fun. I am so excited to share some of my favorite things with you.

Lisa