December Thrifty Familities Blog Carnival

December, A moth of the year when people often feel the pressure to spend money that they do not have.  For me Christmas should be a time filled with joy and families and I hope that in this tight economic climate that people do not feel the need to splash out.

So let me bring you the second Thrifty Families Blog Carnival, an idea of mine, Becky (Baby Budgeting) and Cass (Frugal Family), in association with My Family Club, who are our proud sponsor and a fantastic place to find time and money saving ideas.

A Thrifty Christmas

A Make do mum has an inspiring post about Christmas Gift Wrapping on a budget.  Quite a few ideas their which I am going to pay homage too (yes steal in other words)!

Eco thrifty Living reminds us that gifts do not have to cost anything, with her five gifts that don;t cost anything.

Becky from Baby Budgeting ponders the savings you can make by buying an artificial tree (don;t tell anyone, but we are an artificial tree family too).

Penny from A Penny Saver brings us some fantastic ideas for Frugal Christmas Food Gifts, I particularly like the Chai tea mix and am going to give it a go myself

The amazing Michelle from Utterly Srummy Food for families bring us some excellent frugal Christmas tips.  I for one will be making my outlaws a hamper this year.

Over on New Mummy's Tips you can find ideas for making Christmas more enjoyable as well as economical   Sometimes I fear we forget to take time out to enjoy this time of year. 

Over at ToyMadness you can find tips to help you survive the Christmas shopping .

Kat, who is a very stylist thrifty blogger (I should know I have met her) lets us into her secret of using plastic to help pay for Christmas.

Rebecca shows us how to make simple and effective decorations from CD's with her twins

Cass from a Frugal Family show us how and where to send our letters to Father Christmas and you get a response too all for the cost of a stamp!

Also why visit Santa when you can have him visit you at home, great suggestion from Becky

Crafty Christmas

Cathy at Nurturestore was one of my first bloggy reads and she has lots of ideas of things to make and do with your children.  How adorable is this Christmas Model Village and so easy to make too.  I love junk modeling.

Karen at The White Approach has been busy making candles and just to show you there is no limit she has made them in gorgeous silver egg cups.

The brill Zoe from Playing by The book, guest posts at Red Ted Art this month showing how to make a cake stand.  I have a real passion for cake stands and think these are a lovely way to use old plates. 

This no crochet, crochet poncho  by Lizzie is an ingenious idea and a fab way to use those brill blankets you see at nearly all charity shops.   

A new blog to me, is by Mel Wiggins, scroll down to see some great Thrifty Thursday Ideas, I particularly love the ornaments.

Around the Home

Ever have a need, want , must have moment?  Well I read this post and decided that I have to have these Toadstools in my garden.  They are amazing, well done to Mama Syder for such an original idea.

Egg Dip, Dip gives us a sausage and lentil casserole, perfect for these cold dark days.

Over at The Mad House, I talk about why and how to use a cost comparison site and also how to recycle old tins, here at A thrifty Mum

Whilst Mummykins show us how she uses Money Supermarket to make savings on her weekly shopping.

Kat from Housewife confidential shows us how to make a delicious artisan loaf much cheaper than you can buy it and I am sure it tastes even better too.

Another new to me blog is Mamma Smiles, but I will be following it from now on, it is filled with super ideas for re purposing, recycling and reusing everyday items, including these fantastic posts: Tutorial for turning an adult shirt into toddler shorts, No-sew fabric-covered box tutorial (for toy storage, etc), Using take 'n toss bins to store small toys, Frugal drawer organizers, Using fleece to patch holes in children's clothing and Child's skirt from an old adult t-shirt tutorial

Karen from The Rubbish Diet has a great post about buy nothing new November , a personal challenge,  I think that this is something my family need to take up one month a year.

Have you heard of PlantCatching?  I hadn't read more about it here.

Over at Frugaliscious Food I give you the recipe to make your own pikeletts, which are delicious on these cold nights, perfect for a Sunday evening supper.