Brandon Comer, Staff Writer
Being a newly-married man, I am constantly looking for different ways to cut costs. That being said, the time of year where millions of Americans reach for their wallets is upon us. Oh, come all ye with cash. Christmas season has been turned into an overly commercialized time where people are fighting for the last Turbo Man on the shelves instead of focusing on the real reason for the season (which will have to wait for another article). So when considering what my wife and I were going to do for our family and loved ones, our budget did not agree with our plans.
This is when I caved and joined Pinterest. Men, there’s nothing wrong with having a Pinterest. I actually owe it to them for teaching me how to tie a Double Windsor knot. After a month of planning and pinning, we have a plethora of ideas customized for each person that all cost 8 dollars or less. Seeing as I don’t have a ton of space to give you all of my ideas, here’s a simple way to add a personal touch while also warming people’s hearts: a hand-made ornament.
All you need is a fine tip black permanent marker, a gold permanent marker, some old Christmas tree rings cut from the bottoms of fresh Christmas (they’re free, just ask and anybody working at your local hardware store will lead you to a bucket of them) and some imagination.
Begin by choosing a quote or something else creative. If you need help with that, you can Google it. Once you have your quote chosen, begin by tracing the outline of the letters (you can begin by lightly using pencil). Once that is complete, fill in the letters with the gold marker and your personalized ornament is almost there. If you’re an over-achiever, gloss over the ornament with a coat of clear paint. You can find many different ways to hang it on the tree. I prefer using small hooks that can be screwed into the top of the ornament. Add some red ribbon and there you have it; a token of your love and appreciation that they cannot return because it was the “wrong color.”
Frugal living has taught me how to be creative in ways that stretch my penny further. It has also showed me that as a result of living in an overly-commercialized society, we don’t have a grip on what the true meaning of the season. Living on a dime has presented me with the opportunity to really experience the reason of the season: Love. And Pinterest.
