Tag: Holidays

Thrifty Momma Ramblings is Wishing You a Happy Thanksgiving!

November 22, 2012 Family Life, Holidays, Thanksgiving

I wanted to wish you and your family a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING from Thrifty Momma Ramblings!

Today is a day to count your blessing and be thankful for all the wonderful things you do have and not dwell on what you don’t have.

I am thankful for my beautiful son and wonderful husband, my family, all my friends, and even you my readers! I wouldn’t have much of a blog if no one came to read it.

I am extremely grateful for my house and ability to host a wonderful Thanksgiving feast while so many do not or cannot.

I am also thankful for my good health and ability to work from home. I am thankful for the opportunity to return to college full-time to finish my Bachelor Degree!

I am thankful for all the great deals and coupons and freebies that allows me to bless others that need it more than I do.

Take this day to reflect on your blessings and enjoy the day! Try not to overdo the eating though easier said than done!

McCormick Gravy Mix is My Family Holiday Tradition & Giveaway!

November 17, 2012 Cooking, Family Life, Giveaways, Holidays

I grew up watching my Mom cook using McCormick spices, seasonings, and gravy mixes. I have very fond memories of helping her cook our Thanksgiving dinner each year. We would wake up early to start prepping the turkey which took a better part of the day. I always knew that our dinner was almost ready when I saw her making the delicious gravy.

As an adult, I was so worried that I wouldn’t be able to replicate her delicious gravy. It was always so perfect in color and never had any lumps. She assured me as long as I was using McCormick Turkey Gravy mix then the gravy would be perfect! She was right.

How she got the gravy so perfect was that she learned to add her own flair. She would take the drippings from the turkey and added in the mix along with some spices and a bit of water. Now I cook the big Thanksgiving Dinner each year, and I still continue to use her recipe. I never have to worry about lumpy gravy. I get lots of compliments on my gravy from my husband’s family.

What I really like about McCormick Gravy mix is that it doesn’t contain any artificial flavors or colors, no MSG, and has 0 grams of fat! It only contains natural spices and seasonings which helps it to taste so savory. You can visit the McCormick Website to learn more ways to add your own flair to their gravy mix. You could add sage, poultry seasoning, or even thyme to further enhance the flavors. You will also find lots of great recipes and tips to help you make your Thanksgiving meal even more spectacular!

McCormick has generously sponsored a $75 Gift Pack to one lucky reader!

  • Le Creuset Gravy Boat and Ladle
  • $50 Crate and Barrel Gift Card

The Giveaway will end on 11/23 at 11:59PM EST! Open to age 18+ but only to residents of the USA.

Just enter on the Rafflecopter below and Good Luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is the perfect way to showcase your Turkey Gravy!

Disclaimer: I am part of the Mom It Forward blogger network. Mom It Forward and McCormick partnered in support of this campaign. McCormick compensated me for participation in this campaign. However all thoughts and opinions are 100% mine. Thrifty Momma Ramblings is not responsible for prize fulfillment and will come from McCormick!

TMR Frugal Living Tip #81: No Sew Halloween Costumes

October 31, 2011 Frugal Living Tips, Halloween, Holidays, saving money
homemade halloween costume

homemadehalloweencostumesthriftycostumeideascreativecostumesToday’s thrifty living tip is to be more creative in making your child’s Halloween costume. I personally don’t have anything against store bought costumes, but I find that most are overpriced junk. Some years I have purchased a $10-15 costume from Wal-Mart that would basically fall apart during the first wearing. I have also bought better quality costumes from the Disney Store that would last several wearings, and then sell them used on ebay for more than I paid new. I would purchase them on clearance, and sometimes buy the extra accessories which would complete the costume. The problem now is my son is too old for most of the Disney costumes as those are for babies. *SIGH*

Not everyone knows how to sew a costume themselves. The fabric can cost you a pretty penny, and not to mention the time, unless of course you really enjoy sewing. I don’t enjoy sewing so we have gotten more creative in putting together a costume for my son by just digging in his closet. There might be times I have to purchase an item to complete his costume, but he usually already owns the items to put together a fun Halloween costume for him.

Here is a picture of his homemade Halloween costume from two years ago. He was his favorite wrestler, Ray Mysterio, complete with the mask, a jacket, a Ray shirt (you can’t see but it’s under the jacket), a pair of jeans and tennis shoes. He used one of his toy wrestling belts to complete the costume. He already owned everything so cost to me was FREE! He actually received a ton of compliments from other kids and adults on his costume. I think the authentic mask was the true gem of this costume as a friend of mine gave him the mask as a present. This was one of those expensive replicas they sell and not the cheap plastic one.

Last year he dressed as a military man. I don’t have a picture but he already owned a camouflage shirt, shorts, and hat. I have a pair of military issued combat boots that I wore when I was in the army many years ago that he was able to wear at the age of 10! Since we are trick or treating, we are not bringing any toy guns. Everyone will know what he is supposed to be anyway. Again total cost to me= FREE! These creative costumes are actually his idea as he complains about how the store bought costumes are itchy and fall apart. I have taught my little grasshopper well. This year he decided to be a Zombie with a skull mask (I bought on clearance for $1 last year) and some jeans, a sweatshirt, and shoes. I know not original but he is getting to that age that he wants to be cool. He is not trick or treating but wants to hand out candy which is fine by me. I usually end up wanting to eat most of it. I definitely don’t need any candy.

I would love to hear other creative solutions for Halloween Costumes. Happy Halloween and be safe while Trick or Treating!

Personalize Your Holiday Cards

September 16, 2008 Christmas, Gifts, Holidays

The holidays are right around the corner starting with Thanksgiving and then Christmas! I already have almost all my shopping done, but I really want personalized Christmas cards this year. I found this great website where I can make my own personalized Holiday cards. They also offer foil seals, metallic gel pens, and more for a really snazzy look.

There are so many great cards to choose from, but I came across these really neat calender cards. I know many people in my family would love them. This is better to me than the standard greeting you would find inside a Holiday card. Or you could create your own photo greeting card by uploading a picture. Grandparents love those kind of greeting cards.

GalleryCollection.com generously donated over 180,000 holiday cards last year to our deployed troops overseas. All these cards went out in the Soliders’ Angels for Holiday care packages which is a wonderful way to show our troops how much we appreciate what they do for our country. I think everyone should become involved in this great program. ‘May no soldier go unloved’ is the Soliders’ Angels motto. So many of them are away from their loved ones which is more reason that we should do more to show our support. I applaud GalleryCollection.com for giving such a generous donation to our troops. What will you do to show our soldiers some love this holiday season?