Today’s homemade gift idea can’t get much simpler. So, I happen to think it would make a perfect last-minute gift! Simply head to your nearest dollar store, pick up a fancy dish towel and some ribbon and get started!
Here’s how to create a No Sew Dish Towel Apron that any chef would love to receive:
Begin by folding your towel into the size of apron you want. You can fold it down to about 8 inches by 8 inches square for a child, or simply fold the towel in half for an adult. If you wish for a longer apron, manipulate the fabric to get the shape you wish. For the sample you see here, I folded the towel once in half, then folded each end in about 2 inches.
Apply a strip of iron on fabric tape OR fabric adhesive to the inside of your folded seams. Press and iron the towel if needed. The idea is to use the tape or adhesive to secure the shape of the towel.
Apply a length of adhesive tape or glue to the top of your towel. Press the length of ribbon into it. Press and iron if needed. The ribbon should now be adhered to the towel, leaving you two lengths on each side for tying.
Once your adhesive is dry or ironed in place, your towel can be used. Simply use the excess ribbon as ties, tying them behind your back to hold the apron in place.
This year, I’m on a mission. Not only to have my own organized Christmas season, but I’m hoping I can help you as well!
Introducing… 8 Weeks to a More Organized Christmas!
Behind the scenes, I’m working on getting the Simply Frugal Holiday Gift Guides up and running, which I hope will help make your shopping easier and more frugal. But, I’m also hoping this series, 8 Weeks to a More Organized Christmas, will help you be more organized and spend less this Christmas season.
My goal with the series is to help guide you in making your Christmas season more manageable by providing you with a weekly task to help you get everything in order. I also find, the more organized I am, the less money I spend because I’m being more intentional!
There will be a ton of printables, checklists, articles full of tips and inspiring ideas to help you.
Since it’s called 8 Weeks to a More Organized Christmas, we’ll be getting started on Friday, October 30, because Christmas is then only 8 weeks away! I’ll have the first post up with your first task. Every following Friday, there will be a new post with a new task for you to focus on.
How does that sound? Are you in? Do you want a more organized Christmas? What do you struggle with the most each Christmas season?
Sign up for the 8 Weeks to a More Organized Christmas newsletter to receive a FREE Christmas Dinner Checklist! This checklist is quite detailed and will help you remember all the details needed for a memory filled dinner with family and friends. You’ll also receive a weekly email with each week’s “task”.
You’ll have to excuse the old photo above. I am not on top of family photos this year so you get a photo of us from last year sometime after Christmas day! We generally look the same this year… 😉
Anyways, I’m popping in because our family wants to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! We hope you have a very blessed, peaceful and happy one! We also want to thank you all for stopping in every day here at Simply Frugal, we truly appreciate each and every one of you!
I’ll be back late Tuesday evening to post some Boxing Day deals in the upcoming epic Boxing Day post, but other than that, I’ll be enjoying some much needed family time until the New Year.
I have got the cutest, last minute gift idea for you! Kids young and old will love this under the tree or in their stockings! Since I supply the printable tags for free, this will be a really budget friendly and quick idea to put together. Especially if you pick up your supplies at the dollar store!
When you can’t afford much for Christmas it is easy to feel down and let it get in the way of having a great holiday with your family. This year, if you find that you just don’t have the money in your budget to do everything you wish you could, take time to appreciate what you do have and make the most of Christmas anyway.
Focus on the Meaning
The most important part of coping with a tight budget during the holidays is to really focus on the meaning of the holiday. Christmas is a time of celebration for all and a time to turn our focus from our busy lifestyles to our friends and family that mean so much to us. Focus more on how you are spending your time than how you are spending your money and find the joy in the little things.
Find Fun Freebies
Find fun free things to do that will build lasting memories. Many libraries will offer great free Christmas story times, activities, and parties. The local schools will all have performances going on that you can visit and support loved ones. Going and viewing Christmas light displays, singing carols, and building snowmen are all great ways to spend time together making Christmas memories without spending money.
Get Crafty
Save money and make your holiday decorations at home with salt dough ornaments, paper snowflakes, and fresh cut evergreen branches. This is a charming way to decorate for the holidays while building great family memories that will last a lifetime.
Create family-centered traditions like watching Christmas Movies while sipping homemade cocoa or reading Christmas books before slipping off to bed on a cold winter night. Your traditions can be anything you already have the supplies to make happen without spending any money.
Wrap Everything!
For children when unwrapping gifts is the most exciting part of the holiday try wrapping everything even the smallest stocking stuffer. This will draw out the fun part for children even when you don’t have a lot under the tree.
Focus on Others
Turn your focus on helping others. So often it is hard to see past our own struggles and misfortunes. By taking time to help others in some way you are helping your family learn to look at your holidays with thankfulness for all the things you do have while helping make Christmas a little brighter for others at the same time. Even if volunteering with the needy at your local soup kitchen or food pantry is not an option you can perform random acts of kindness for others.
I’d love to know your ideas for frugal holiday memory making. Let us know in the comments below!
