5 Ways To Spend Less on Gifts This Year

Are you looking for ways to spend less on gifts this year? You're not alone. In fact, many people are looking for ways to save money during the holiday season. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to reduce your costs without sacrificing quality or selection. Here are a few tips to help get you started.

1. DIY Gifts

When it comes to gift giving, many people feel pressure to spend a lot of money on expensive gifts. However, this is not always necessary. One way to reduce the cost of gift giving is to make your own gifts. With a little creativity, DIY gifts can be just as thoughtful and appreciated as store-bought gifts. Not only will you save money, but you'll also have the opportunity to personalize the gift to suit the recipient's taste. So next time you're looking for a special gift, consider making it yourself. DIY gifts are a great way to spending less while still showing your loved ones how much you care.

2. Group Gifts

Group gifts are a great way to save money on gifts, especially for special occasions like weddings, baby showers, and birthdays. By pooling resources with friends or family members, you can purchase a higher quality gift than you could afford on your own. Plus, group gifts are often more meaningful to the recipient since they know that many people were involved in selecting and purchasing the gift. If you're looking for a way to cut down on your gift-giving expenses, consider giving a group gift next time you have an occasion to celebrate.

3. Thrift Store Shopping

The holiday season is a time when many of us focus on giving gifts to our loved ones. However, this can also be a time when our budgets are stretched thin. If you are looking for ways to save money on gifts, one option is to shop at thrift stores. At a thrift store, you can find gently used items at a fraction of the price you would pay for them new. This can be a great way to get unique gifts that your loved ones will appreciate without breaking the bank. Of course, thrift store shopping requires a bit more effort than simply heading to the mall. But if you are willing to put in the extra work, it can be a great way to save money on gifts this holiday season.

4. Re gifting

The holiday season is a time when many of us feel the pressures of gift giving. With budgets tight, it can be tempting to skimp on gifts or simply re-gift something that we received but don't really want. However, before you resort to re gifting, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, make sure that the item you are re gifting is appropriate for the person you are giving it to. It's also important to be discreet; if the person you are giving the gift to knows that it was originally given to you, they may feel insulted. Finally, take some time to wrap the gift nicely; a shoddily wrapped present will only make it more obvious that you didn't put much thought into it. If you keep these guidelines in mind, re gifting can be a great way to save money without sacrificing your holiday cheer.

5. Flowers

Flowers are one of the most popular gifts for special occasions, but they can also be a great way to show your appreciation without spending a lot of money. A simple bouquet of daisies or tulips can brighten someone's day, and it doesn't have to cost a lot. In fact, you can often find flowers on sale at your local grocery store or floral shop. If you want to make a more personal gesture, contact Pearsons Florist for assistance. They can help you choose the perfect arrangement for any occasion, and they offer discounts for bulk orders. Whether you're looking for a way to show your gratitude or just wanting to brighten someone's day, flowers are an affordable and thoughtful option.

This holiday season doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think. With a little bit of creativity and forethought, you can give your loved ones gifts that they’ll treasure without breaking the bank. Try some of these tips and see how much money you can save – without skimping on the quality or thoughtfulness of your presents.

Heading Back Home

                                                               

After being on the road for over 3 weeks, we made the decision to turn around and head home. Wasn't the original plan for sure. We had thought get as far as South Carolina or Florida and make that our Winter home. The things we saw were great but what wasn't great was the cold, the money we were spending on gas, and losing $$ with the US exchange, the price of groceries and the heavy traffic on the interstates in the mid west and east. We decided there was a window of opportunity to make it back home on the highway and hope not to hit snow. 

We are definitely going to put the RV up for sale. Too much of a gas guzzler for frugal folk, and look at getting something less expensive and hard on gas.

We also gained a big appreciation for truck drivers. Some of those highways are unreal with the traffic. We stayed a couple nights too at truck stops and they get full fast and then others are looking for a place to get off the road, and sometimes there just isn't a place close to stop, so this is why you may see some just stopped on on ramps, or on highways. Even some Walmarts do not allow overnights for them. It's sad to see because they are hauling our goods to where they need to get to. We need to be more accommodating for them. Truck stops don't always have enough room.

We Found The Colonel- in Corbin , Kentucky!

You can't drive through Corbin, Kentucky without stopping in the original home of the Colonel!

2022 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids

We're thinking "It's time to talk Christmas!"  Watching the season go by through the eyes of a child is wonderful. It  makes the season that much more special. I had no idea just how great the Christmas season was until we had kids. Even if you don’t have your own kids, your nieces, nephews, grandkids and friend’s kids are just as fun to shop for !

We have some great gift ideas for the kids this year to share with you..

Cabbage Patch Kids 9" Cuties - Exotic Kora Kitty

Let's get to work with Blippi! Watch your child explore 2 amazing careers with the Blippi Job Explorer figure. This 5-inch figure allows your child to dress Blippi as either a firefighter or construction worker. This interchangeable accessory toy has everything you need to explore both careers. Firefighter Blippi is ready to save the day with his firefighter vest, firefighter helmet, and fire extinguisher! Construction Blippi is ready to build a beautiful world with his construction vest, construction helmet, and jackhammer. Your little worker will have so much fun learning more about the careers they see and learn with Blippi!

Ages: 3 to 6 years

Toys R Us, Amazon

Blippi Job Explorer

Let's get to work with Blippi! Watch your child explore 2 amazing careers with the Blippi Job Explorer figure. This 5-inch figure allows your child to dress Blippi as either a firefighter or construction worker. This interchangeable accessory toy has everything you need to explore both careers. Firefighter Blippi is ready to save the day with his firefighter vest, firefighter helmet, and fire extinguisher! Construction Blippi is ready to build a beautiful world with his construction vest, construction helmet, and jackhammer. Your little worker will have so much fun learning more about the careers they see and learn with Blippi!

Ages: 3 to 6 years

Availability: Toys R Us, Amazon

AEW Unrivaled

Wrestling between a few different gift ideas? Look no further than the AEW Unrivaled collection! With different characters to collect, this adds to any super fans collection. For more information, click here.

Ages: 8 to 12 years

Availability: Walmart, Toys R Us, GameStop

Mystery Mini Squishmallows

With over 24 ultra-squeezable plushes to collect, these make for the perfect addition to your child's Squishmallows collection! Not only are they small and cute, but are also compatible with Squishville. Join the squad! For more information, click here.

Ages: 5 to 9 years

Availability: Indigo, Walmart, Toys R Us

Roblox Mystery Figurines

Each mystery box comes with one Roblox figurine out of 24 to collect! You can mix and match parts to create your very own unique characters. Each figure comes with a code for an exclusive virtual item that can be redeemed on Roblox. Collect them all! For more information, click here.

Ages: 6y+

Availability: Walmart, Toys R Us

Fisher-Price® Thomas & Friends™ Launch & Loop Maintenance Yard™

Young conductors can get ready for loops of Sodor adventures with the Thomas & Friends™ Launch & Loop Maintenance Yard™ train set from Fisher-Price®. This epic track set features 16+ feet of track for little engineers to recreate the loop de loop featured in the show, Thomas & Friends™ All Engines Go! Kids can send the motorized Thomas engine through the loop, up two different hills, and then use Carly the Crane to complete the track and help Thomas make his delivery. This set is compatible with any Thomas & Friends™ track, except wood. (Additional track and train sets sold separately and subject to availability.)

Ages: 3+

Availability: Toys R Us, Amazon, Walmart

Meditation Mouse

The Meditation Mouse from Fisher-Price® introduces your toddler to guided meditation through physical prompts and breathing exercises to help them unwind during the day and before bedtime. This soothing plush mouse is the go-to calming cuddle buddy to help your little one learn how to nama-stay relaxed. Choose from 3 calming modes, including a daytime relaxation session, a nighttime soothing sounds mode, and a 3-part bedtime wind-down exercise. Ready for relaxing and snuggling, this plush pal has an embroidered face and is made from a variety of soft and satiny textures (including super cute pajamas!).

Ages: 2 to 5 years

Barbie® City Adventures Café And Cab By Little People®

Toddlers can journey around town with this Barbie® City Adventures Café and Cab pretend playset by Little People®. Kids can place the figure in the push-along taxi to “drive” to the café. Then, with the press of a button, the café door opens, so kids can help the Barbie “Brooklyn” Roberts figure place an order for a refreshing treat to enjoy at the “outdoor” patio before heading off on her next adventure!

Ages: 18 months to 5 years

Availability: Toys R Us and Walmart

Fisher-Price® Corn Popper®

As your baby pushes the Fisher-Price® Corn Popper® toy along, the brightly coloured balls excitedly pop around, encouraging your little cruiser to keep going. And the faster your baby goes, the faster the poppity-pop action! A great first birthday gift, this classic push toy helps strengthen your baby's gross motor skills and introduce cause and effect as they push the toy along to make the balls pop around inside.

Ages: 12m+

Fisher-Price® Deluxe Kick & Play™ Piano Gym

Kick play time up a notch with the Fisher-Price® Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym, which has five light-up piano keys, a repositionable toy arch, and four musical settings that keep your little one rocking out for years! As your baby grows from lay and play to tummy time to sitting up at the piano, you can change up the music and learning, too! Smart Stages® technology lets you change the learning content to best fit your baby's age and stage, while real piano notes encourage your little Mozart to create a tune of their own! You can even detach the keyboard for musical fun on the go!

Availability: Walmart, Amazon and Canadian Tire

Buzz Bee Toys-

Level up With Alpha Auto 72

A Motorized, High-Capacity Blaster

Designed for Pros

Whether they've been blasting for years or are about to join the adrenaline-infused world of dart blasters for the first time, they will definitely want to get their hands on Alpha Auto 72! This motorized, high-capacity blaster comes with everything they will ever need on the battlefield.

plus:

Blitz 6

Get your game face on and stay ahead in the competition with an auto-advancing, all-out dart blaster with a range of up to 100 feet.

Auto-advancing to another level

If they are new to the world of dart blasting, this is an incredible way to start the adrenaline-infused adventure. Blitz 6 was designed to be so easy to use so they  can start blasting as soon as they unpack it. All they have to do is load darts, pull back on the ring, and release before pulling the trigger to launch a dart. If  already a fan of dart blasting, Blitz 6 will be a great addition to their blaster collection. This action-packed blaster delivers advanced performance with extreme distance and leaves a lasting impression on their opponents.

Dr. Seuss's Merry Grinchmas! Game by Funko Games-

Every Who down in Who-ville likes Christmas a lot. But the Grinch, who lived just north of Who-ville, did NOT! While the Whos are busy dreaming of Christmas, the Grinch is slinking around Who-ville trying to stop Christmas from coming! Work together to collect presents to make the Whos' holiday dreams come true before the Grinch steals them away. Collect more points than the Grinch by the time Whos start singing to win!

L.O.L. Surprise! Fashion Dolls (Hair & Style Edition)

(Hair Edition): Introducing L.O.L. Surprise OMG Fashion Show Style Edition! These OMG fashion dolls love to have stylish fun with their friends and strut their stuff on the runway. They are fierce, fabulous, and ready for her fashion transformations! They also need your help to get on the cover of Fashion B.B. Magazine. Find your vibe and make that runway sparkle!

Price: $54.99

(Style Edition): Introducing L.O.L. Surprise OMG Fashion Show Style Edition! These OMG fashion dolls love to have stylish fun with their friends and strut their stuff on the runway. They are fierce, fabulous, and ready for her fashion transformations! They also need your help to get on the cover of Fashion B.B. Magazine. Find your vibe and make that runway sparkle!

Little Tikes Easy Store 3-ft Trampoline -

Little Tikes knows it is important for toddlers to stay active, and the 3-foot trampoline is easy to move so kids can bounce where ever they like any time they like! The handle bar on this mini trampoline folds down for easy storage.

Price: $89.99

Bluey's Caravan Adventure-

Little Tikes knows it is important for toddlers to stay active, and the 3-foot trampoline is easy to move so kids can bounce where ever they like any time they like! The handle bar on this mini trampoline folds down for easy storage.

Price: $44.99

Little Live Pets-

Say hello to a new member of the family and explore the cute and fuzzy world of Little Live Pets! Discover pets that come to life – your new pet will move, act and sound like the real thing. Find the pet that will be the perfect addition to your family that your child can love and care for. These interactive toys help children form an emotional connection with themselves and their surroundings through talking, interacting and nurturing play.

Price: $15.99 +

*** Watch for more gift ideas coming soon!

The Ark Encounter- Williamstown, Kentucky

If anything would have made this trip all the worth of the long drive from Alberta to Kentucky,  it's seeing the Ark Encounter today. It was for sure on the top of our lists of the most amazing things we have seen. Put it on your bucket list! This is a family friendly place to experience Bible history. Not only is there the amazing ark that's made true to size of the biblical dimensions, but a zoo, zip line and so much more. Plenty of places for snacks, drinks and eating and reasonably priced as well for hot meals on site. 

The ark is 3 levels high with easy to walk ramps, but as well elevators, and washrooms on every level. Plenty of staff to ask questions of, and plenty of seating around the ark to have a rest. Extremely clean and well laid out for easy navigation inside and outside of the ark.

Besides buying some tasty fudge, cookies and hot meals while there, we also took in the small zoo and went to the virtual reality experience. It is an extra cost of $15 but a must see. I am glad we did it. Its a virtual peak back in time on how Noah constructed his ark and how God commanded him and how the flood came about. It will last 10 minutes and you will wish it was longer or want to do it all again!

Come to Kentucky! See the Ark Encounter- and thank me later!