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Archive for November, 2008

Calling all creative people

November 20th, 2008 at 05:36 pm

Do you have any creative ideas for making nice, but economical gift baskets?
Any themes?
Any recipes for gifts in a jar?
Any unique packaging ideas?

I have been collecting great, inexpensive baskets from Goodwill, and have make gift baskets for several years, but am running out of ideas.
I have used "Family fun night" themes, using a board game, mugs, hot chocolate mix, and snacks.
I have done basket with bath themes.
I have done "movie night theme" using a gift card for a movie rental, or enclosing a family type DVD, hot chocolate, theater size boxes of candy, etc.
I have used gardening themes.

I need new ideas!
Help!

Thanksgiving feast for eight for about $12.00

November 20th, 2008 at 05:30 pm

Everything I've read states that preparing a Thanksgiving meal will cost over forty dollars. Not true! Oh, it can cost that much, but you can do it for about $12.00 if you buy your ingredients at loss leader prices, and cook from "scratch".
I purchased a 16 pound "Honeysuckle White" turkey for $5.50 yesterday. Today, I made homemade stuffing mix (Tightwad Gazette recipe)from bread cubes I have been freezing for a couple of months. I make our bread (oatmeal bread) in our bread machine. If there are a couple pieces that are drying out, before being consumed, they are cut into cubes and frozen for stuffing, that I use for that purpose, and to crush and use as breading for oven fried chicken and pork chops.

Next comes potatoes. They are on sale for a dollar for five pounds. Two of the people on the guest list love mashed potatoes, so I make a lot! I use about four pounds, so that is 80 cents.
The gravy is free, because it is made from the turkey drippings and giblets.
Cranberries are on sale for $1.67 and we cook them with a little sugar, that was purchased in bulk, so it costs maybe 25 cents.
I make the rolls from scratch. Two dozen can be made for about 75 cents, including the butter.
Whole frozen green beans are on sale for 67 cents a bag.
Fruit salad is not necessary, but is wanted. It is made with generic fruit cocktail, canned pineapple chunks and mandarin oranges, and a package of pudding mix. It costs about $2.00 to make with generics, or loss leader prices.
Pumpkin pie is made from scratch. The cost of the crust is maybe 25 cents, and the filling was made from pumpkins we grew, but you can buy a can of pumpkin for a dollar.
There will be a lot of leftovers, so that $12.00 will cover several meals.
It is great being able to eat well, entertain, and stay within a manageable budget.
You don't have to go in the red to eat well, if you are willing to do a little work and plan ahead.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!