TOO BROKE FOR CHRISTMAS

SAVING CHRISTMAS DOLLARS WHEN YOUR KIDS ARE ADULTS WHILE MAKING THEM HAPPY

 

 

I got this idea from a good friend. Every year she gives her daughter a family treasure.

It can be as simple as some recipes  for food she always loved when growing up or the recipe prepared and cutely packaged along with the recipe printed up.

 She has also passed along antique goodies from her own Grandmother, cook books, a jar of buttons, little keepsakes such as old jam jars, or embroidered bookmarks. A basket full at a time. Other years she passes along larger items such as a table or magazine rack.

 

I see this as a win win situation for mother and adult child. Mom gets to declutter, save money and - hopefully - please her children while saving family heirlooms and history for future generations while the adult children are getting something money can not buy. 

 

BLESSINGS, GILLY

TOO BROKE FOR CHRISTMAS ? PART 5

MY FAVORITE EASY & CHEAP HOLIDAY MEAL

 



                                                                                                                                                       

 

Last year for the first time ever I had only one person to spend Thanksgiving with. That lucky person was my youngest son. : )

 

Since there was just the two of us we decided it was ridiculous to cook the usual large turkey and even a turkey breast seemed too big and we didn't want to fuss. Neither of us felt like going out for dinner either.

 

I thought of one of our favorite meals that I make now and then - a turkey roast - just the right size for two , microwave mashed potatoes, canned vegetables, and we added canned cranberries, Stove Top Stuffing, store bought rolls that we tossed in the oven and pies from the bakery.

 

It was a wonderful day! instead of slaving in the kitchen I  put the turkey roast in the oven in its own  disposable tin foil pan ( no soaking or scrubbing required after dinner) that is also home to a lot of delicious gravy! It takes 2 and 3/4 hours to cook so guess who was watching the Macy  Thanksgiving  Day parade with her feet up?

 

After 2 and 1/2 hours I wandered into the kitchen and whipped up the the rest of the too darned easy food. : )

 

It took less than 10 minutes to clean up after dinner

and then it was time for movies - NO FOOTBALL! YAY!

 

The turkey roast is A bit over $3 and altogether dinner cost $13 - for two - and there were leftovers.

A perfect dinner and the easiest, most peaceful Holiday Dinner I ever experienced!

 

This year my other two sons joined us for Thanksgiving and I bought 3 turkey roasts and 2 microwave mashed potatoes : ) . After nuking the potatoes I emptied both  containers into a casserole dish and put them in the oven to keep warm. No one minded - everyone enjoyed the meal. One son pointed out that since none of us liked dark meat or drumsticks a turkey would be a waste. ( their father used to take care of that)

My only problem - football was back. : (

Blessings, Gilly

P.S. Will I do it again on Christmas? Stay tuned to find out.