December 2013 - Pen, paper, pan

Why I love a small (micro) house

I’ve seen a lot of pictures of small houses (like the one above) on the Internet and I must say I am impressed by the detailed designs of each structure. Each house has a small floor area yet the builder was able to put in all the details and features of an average house. Designers were able to fit in a sofa, kitchen cum dining area, bathroom, and bedroom in such a small space. I wouldn’t be surprised if architects would be able to add in an entertainment area with television and complete sound system with evh amps at Musicians Friend. It’s a dream house for me. If I have the opportunity to design my own home, I would prefer to have this size because it’s easy to manage. Just the right house for me. 🙂

Practical ways to save on Christmas expenses

As a homemaker, one of the many practical things you can do to stretch you budget for the Christmas season is through recycling. You can start with reusing Christmas ornaments that are just collecting dust in your cabinet or stockroom. A little cleaning would make them look as if they were brand new. You can also try a little experiment by mixing and matching the designs to give it a fresh perspective.

If you have a penchant for do-it-yourself projects, you can try your hand on some DIY Christmas decors. Why would you spend on something that you can actually create by using available materials at home? With a little creativity, you can make your own gift tags, gift wrapper, and yes, even set up your own Christmas tree out of old newspapers and magazines. I’ve seen a blogger friend made this and they look so cute.

To get you started, you can check for numerous DIY projects on the internet. You can copy the designs as is or create your own version. Possibilities are endless. There are more practical means to save and stretch your budget for the holidays besides recycling Christmas ornaments.

How about you? What are the money-saving tips that have been proven to work for you?

Image credit: http://www.trendhunter.com/slideshow/diy-christmas-decor-ideas

Our favorite part of the holiday season

The kids love the decorating part of the holiday season. While they anticipate opening their presents on Christmas day, they also look forward to decorating every year. They are excited about hanging some Christmas ornaments and a few Christmas lights in the living room. We haven’t had a Christmas tree in a long time so this year we are planning to buy a small one. We may also put up some Christmas wreath and stockings which the kids plan to make from scratch. The kids are also thrilled to decorate their rooms this weekend. I wonder how an exciting g&l comanche would look inside my boy’s room.

How about you what is your favorite part about the holidays?