Frugal Village

photo by benbengraves

Holiday gatherings are often highlighted by signature dishes — favorites that appear year after year. Without that single recipe, the celebration just wouldn’t be the same. Maybe it’s a recipe that has been handed down through the generations and evokes fond memories or a story. Eating it feels like home.
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I’m sick of it! Yes. I’m completely sick and tired of manufacturers overpackaging toys. It seems everywhere I look, there’s a child or parent struggling to open a toy. It’s become dangerous. You’ve been there, or maybe you’ve heard me screaming for the toolbox to get my daughter’s doll out of the packaging. This was [...]

photo by alexdunn

I receive countless desperate letters from readers who are experiencing hard times. Many are concerned about not being able to afford Christmas gifts for their young children. Now is a good time to get started preparing for the holidays.
One way to plan ahead is to make homemade toys. Many can be created [...]

photo by tinywhitelights

This holiday season, many families are avoiding advertising and consumerism and are opting for a simpler celebration. Some call it an old-fashioned or homespun holiday, but the common thread is the desire to set reasonable expectations and budgets, and get back to basics.
The following are frugal holiday strategies from readers.
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photo by tbisaacs

The holiday season is almost here. For some men, shopping for the women in their lives is a frustrating mystery. I’ve witnessed many men shopping around the holidays, and they appear not only clueless but downright desperate. In all fairness, some women have high expectations, so it’s understandable these men are completely stressed [...]