Great Holiday Ideas from the Modern Bohemian

The great thing about the holiday season, is that crafters are out and about like crazy! It's a great time of year to get homemade goodies. Check out your local paper, craigslist, tv news, and local store flyers to find craft shows near you. If you would rather get homemade goodies online, there are several sites, such as Etsy.com, that sell handmade goods from artists and crafters all over the world. Go nuts!

It's time to shop for your family and friends... but what do you get? And how do you get it faster, more easily, and cheaper? Well, first of all, I always advise people to start putting money away for the holidays early. Start immediately after the holidays and put maybe $25 of each paycheck into a savings account that is only for holiday shopping. By December, you should have around $500-$600. Also, take your cans and bottles in to get some extra cash too.
Secondly, shop locally and online. I say shop locally because not only will you be able to stay close to home, but you will be supporting your local economy, which is always a good thing, and spending less. Find local craft shows, farmer's markets, secondhand stores, specialty stores, etc.
Shopping online is good because you can buy from big, respected companies (like Amazon) who are dependable and make shopping easy. You can also shop from small businesses and from people like me who have their own online stores. Etsy.com, Zazzle.com, Ebay.com, Cafepress.com... all of these places have stores run by people just like you and me.
Thirdly, don't be ashamed to shop at Goodwill or garage sales for Christmas gifts. As long as the gift is clean, well meant, and in good condition, secondhand gifts are smart, "green," and fun.
Next, limit who you buy for. Yes, it's nice to get a present for your boss, your mailman, and your babysitter. But sometimes a simple card, a thank you, or a homemade treat is plenty for these people. Limit the big, expensive gifts for your parents, your kids, and your best friend since third grade.
Finally, know that homemade is a great way to go. Surprise friends and family with:
-Customized scrapbooks
-Photo albums
-Crocheted and/or knitted blankets, sweaters, and scarves
-Homemade cookies, breads, fruitcake, or pies
-Hand dipped candles, homemade soaps and perfumes, and/or potpourri
-Etc.
Be creative! There are no limits to the kinds of fun, heartfelt, handmade gifts you can give your loved ones.

When it comes to cooking for the holidays, some people are in their element! But for some people, holiday cooking can be VERY stressful! Whether it's because of a lack of culinary skill, dietary issues are involved, or you simply don't have the time and money to work with, I am here to help.
The best thing I can tell you is to keep it simple. If you are not a skilled chef or cook, money is an issue, and you don't want to gain weight, then keep it simple with fresh veggies, lean meats, whole grains, and fruits.
Very soon I will post some great recipes that I use that are easy, tasty, and inexpensive. Keep checking back!

The holiday season is a great time for showing kindness, appreciation, love, and charity. Whether it is through donating money, volunteering, or giving the gift of charitable contributions in a friend's name, helping out during the holidays is something that is good for all of us.
See the links below for some great ideas of how to help out during the holidays.

Around the holidays, we can all get a little run-down, anxious, stressed out, overworked, or just plain tired and sore. That's why it is important to wind down and relax! Some tips:

-Light some candles or incense with soothing aromatherapy scents like lavender
-Soak your feet in some warm water with soothing bath salts
-Take a long warm shower or a bubble bath
-Listen to your favorite I-tunes playlist and spend a half hour just looking at your favorite blogs, comics, and funny youtube videos.
-Etc.