Gifts

Gifts are tokens of the esteem we hold for people we care about. That’s why we want to select just the right gift.  But, you can also be a great gift-giver without breaking the budget.   Read A Homemade Gift You’d Actually Love to Receive Yourself to learn more about Mary’s creative gift-giving ideas.

Whether you’re searching for ideas related to birthdays, weddings and graduation gifts or edible last-minute gifts, these posts are a treasure-trove of gift information.

ultimate mothers day gift guide for every budget

The Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift Guide: Thoughtful Ideas for Every Budget

Struggling to find the perfect Mother’s Day gift for the mom who seems to have it all? Don’t stress! Take
Gift Card retail rack

The Shocking Truth About Gift Cards

The truth is, consumers racked up more than $162 billion in Gift Card sales in 2022. I can’t stop the

The Handmade Gift You’d Actually Love to Receive

If you’ve never made holiday gifts, that’s going to change right here. And if you’re already the Michael Phelps of
Gift Guide Board Games

Big Board Games Sale in Plenty of Time for Christmas!

If you haven't seen it yet, holiday items have already stocked store shelves. If you're the type who likes to
home cook making gourmet meal

14 Best Gifts for Anyone Who Likes to Cook (or Eat!)

Over the past few years, many people have discovered a love for cooking and baking at home. And a lot
bills and credit cards overspent for christmas

You Overspent on Christmas—3 Ways to Bounce Back

“Why did I buy expensive electronics for the kids when I couldn’t afford them?”, seeing your answer (“I wanted them
Dad Writing Family Christmas letter at desk with pen paper and laptop

The Family Christmas Letter

If you can compose a decent sentence and access a few modern-day tools, you have all you need to create
Costco aisle with Christmas gifts trees and decor

This Year Holiday Sales Starting Earlier Than Ever

Holiday creep is real. As Halloween costumes began filling store shelves in August, Starbucks was rolling out Pumpkin Spice Lattes—earlier
personalized pencils make inexpensive awesome gifts

Great $1 Gift Idea for People of All Ages—Kids Teens Adults

Does this sound at all familiar to you? It’s the week before Christmas, and you thought you were done shopping.
Empty Stockings Hung On Fireplace On Christmas Eve

Last-Minute Gifts, Ideas, Stocking Stuffers, Free Printables

With only a matter of days before Christmas, it’s easy to allow a sense of panic to set in. Could
caramel corn collage

The Ultimate Gift-Worthy Caramel Corn Recipe (Quick, Easy, Good!)

Here’s a quick and easy way to make what I find amazing gift-worthy caramel corn, with stovetop and microwave instructions,
Father daughter reading a book

EC Father’s Day Gift Guide 2023

Father's Day is a fabulous, wonderful day to show Dads how much we love them, how special they are—and a
#1 Dad Fathers Day

Gift Ideas for Dads at Amazon You Can Get Now with 2-Day Shipping

Mr. Hard-to-Buy-For is no match for these ideas that you can still order and get in time for Fathers Day!
Set of sale and discount paper labels with red bows and ribbons

Top 10 Holiday Shopping Mistakes to Avoid

It’s still touted as the biggest holiday shopping day of the year. Black Friday—when retailers slash everything to unheard-of rock-bottom
Winter mountain road landscape with campervan turning aside. Family vacation travel, holiday trip in motorhome. Beautiful austrian nature scene.

Christmas Gift Guide for RV Owners, VanLifers, Campers

Looking for some great campervan gifts for friends or family members who just got their new van, are more seasoned
Christmas DIY $10

10 Best Homemade Gifts Under $10

This is so much fun, no specific skills required. All of these ideas are super doable. More than that? You

How to Make Your House Smell Like the Holidays

Recently, my husband and I made a quick getaway to experience autumn in the tiny town of Lititz, Penn. The
gift for her

Best Gift Ideas for Her

Face it, some people are just not easy-to-buy-for. That's why I'm here to help—I've got you covered!
2023 Gift Guide Fun Stuff Kids

Christmas Gift Guide: Super Fun Stuff for Kids

  Looking for fun stuff for the kids? Well, yes, because it can’t be ALL about socks, underwear, and science
2021 Christmas Mary's Fav Things

Mary’s Favorite Things

  If you woke up this morning with a sense of panic realizing there are just days until Christmas, let

How to Do Christmas Without Debt

If you are or ever have been plagued by credit card debt, I can nearly guarantee expenses related to Christmas
A glass of beer on a table

A Fun Project for While You’re Homebound

I’m going to bet that Christmas is about the last thing on your mind. Am I right? And now you’re
Valentines day greeting card with rose flowers and gift box on white wooden background

Best Ideas and Gifts (Him, Her, Kids!) to Celebrate Valentine’s Day

In this post last minute ideas to celebrate Valentines Day including dozens of gifts that are sure to please your
A cup of coffee on a table

6 Awesome Gifts of Summer to Make Now for Christmas

Even if you didn’t have an abundant garden this year, don’t worry. You can still make these beautiful gifts of
Software engineering student sitting on bed with books, laptop and textbooks around and writing in notebook

23 College Dorm Room Essentials and Gift Ideas

Should you or someone you love be turning into a dorm dweller, consider this list of essentials that will go
Gift Card retail rack

Best Way to Sell Gift Cards for Cash

Receiving gift cards can be great if they are your heart's desire. But not so great if that's a card
A living room with a christmas tree

A Mishmash of Christmas Ideas and Holiday Tips

Good news! Another Black Friday is in the books. You survived—unscathed I hope. If you bag some amazing bargains without
Christmas vintage presents on a wooden background

Gift-Giving: What’s the Point?

The simple act of gift-giving has become extremely complicated. I blame that on the consumer credit industry. Think about it: You
peach collage

Peaches—Tips, Tricks, My Grandmother’s Peach Cobbler and More Recipes!

Who doesn't love a perfectly ripe, fresh peach? Whether freestone or clingstone (don't know the difference? read on ... )
Hot chocolate mug with marshmallow

Just in Time: Ultimate Last-Minute Holiday Gifts From the Kitchen

You do not need a lot of money nor must you have the gift of craftiness to assemble fabulous gifts
Gift and Bacon

Bacon Jam: Maybe the Best Homemade Gift Ever

When the holiday season arrives, the best gifts just might be from your kitchen. And when those gifts are extra
A group of people posing for the camera

8 Creative Gift Ideas for Graduates You Know and Love

As you consider gifts for the grads on your list, think of that person’s “next step.” For a high-school grad, perhaps
A young boy standing in front of a brick wall

What Are the Best Headphones for Kids, Adults, and Every Budget?

Many readers have recently asked about the best inexpensive headphones and earbuds for themselves and their kiddos. Today seems like
disappointed woman opening a gift box for Christmas

The Ultimate Guide to Proper Re-Gifting

Eighteen days until Christmas. While you let that sink in, allow me to whisper one word in your ear: Re-gifting.
Gift and Retail

Many Happy Returns

What to do with three extra coffee grinders and charming needlepoint “Puppies in a Basket” throw pillow—gifts received and much
An open laptop computer sitting on top of a desk

Chromebook Laptops Better Than Ever—Cheaper, Too!

Only a few months ago, I told you about what was happening in the world of Chromebook—a laptop computer that
female hands holding small brown paper wrapped gift with sprig of fresh greenery

How to Make Pure Vanilla Extract

Great news! Time is one of the most important ingredients in homemade extracts. Fortunately, with Christmas nearly five months away,
Grandma and grandchildren reading book together

9 Best Money Books for Kids and Teens

If you have kids in your life age 3 and up to young adult, consider these excellent books to get those
empty apartment kitchen

The $150 Starter Kitchen

For less than the cost of a week’s worth of restaurant meals, I can show you how to set up