Friday, November 27, 2009

Frugal Friday #5

Rainy Day Farm

Sorry I am so late getting my Frugal Friday post out to you all. I was having way to much fun at my parents house for Thanksgiving. Lot's of food to eat, games to play, crafts to make and fun to have.

So in light of a busy weekend I am going to keep this post simple. I came across a very touching quote on gratitude in an issue of
Mary Jane's Magazine. I put in my Thanksgiving post, but I have not been able to stop thinking about it or it's message.
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." -Melody Beattie
So I was thinking about what frugal tip I could pass on to you at the beginning this holiday season. Gratitude is the best frugal tip I could pass on. As the quote says


"It turns what we have into enough, and more."

Let that be in your heart this year when you are out shopping and bustling around. Show gratitude for all you have and more abundance will come into your lives. Be happy with what you have and don't go out and spend frivolously. Ask yourself if the items you are purchasing are things that you really need or really love? Will the person you are giving the gift to cherish what you have chosen? Think outside the box when giving this year. Is there a great pair of handmade gloves that would warm your sister-in-laws hands all winter?
Is there a fun game you could give your brother that would help create wonderful memories for years to come?
Is the gift you are giving your child going to expand their imagination for years to come, or is it going to be broken before Christmas day is over?

Get organized with your Christmas list and your shopping. Take extra care when choosing your gifts. Do online shopping to save yourself a lot of gas and especially STRESS. May your Christmas Season be as wonderful as a Bing Crosby song. Have yourself a Merry little Christmas this year, that is filled with love and especially Gratitude.

3 comments:

Amy @ Keep'n The SunnySide said...

Nice Post Maria.. we can always use a reminder.

Over the years, our family (whole entire family) has massively downsized gift giving. We gather together as a large group for Christmas Eve, we no longer exchange gifts. Instead we bring food, or games, and spend time just catching up, and enjoying our time together. We are with our individual families on Christmas Day. As far as family goes, we all agreed to only buy gifts for our parents, children, & our spouses. It used to be so out of control. It was a sea of gifts for about 35 people, that turned into a mountain of stress before the night was through. Did the person like it, was gratitude shown, was the size/color right?, Did I get a gift for everyone, oh no, so and so brought a guest (do I have an extra gift) etc., etc.

I gotta tell ya, it has made our holiday so much better! My kids do not miss the gift giving at that time AT ALL! It really made them look forward to Christmas Day even more. Praise the Lord, I think I've raised them right.. lol.
Amy

Connie said...

Awesome post. I couldn't agree more.

Dena Pickle said...

I love this, thank you so much for sharing that quote! I've never heard it before but will make sure i hear it more often!

BTW I love your Christmas background!
Dena