For the life of me, I do not understand decorating every inch of the house for Christmas. However, if that gives people joy, then more power to them. I am a single person household so my holidays are what I make of them. I have a small tree with decorations I have obtained over the years, and I decorate my mantle in the living room as well. I put a wreath (have had for years) on the front door and get out some Christmas dish towels and potholders for the kitchen. It's just enough to be cheery, bright, and festive. Thanks for all you, Mike, and the girls are doing for this year's Vlogmas. I am looking forward to each day's offerings.
I ironed one of my lovely scarves to serve as a tablecloth, I bought a new tiny 18" Christmas tree that came with all the trimmings, and an Advent Calendar. That's the extent of my Christmas. I'll buy a ham steak for $2.50. I'm going to read and watch Little Women and have a bookish cozy Campervan, Christmas.
We're married 53 years and so decorate with treasures accumulated over the years. This year our eight year old grand daughter decorated our artificial tree all by herself, and she had fun doing it as we sat in our chairs and cheered her on. :-) I make a lagsanga every year to take to my daughter's who hosts dinner.
Our Christmas decorations are like a patchwork of memories..not expensive department store looking..my husband is in his 50s and we have some felt decorations he made when he was a child on our tree. I made baubles out of polystyrene balls and fabric and sequins with my beloved mum and grandma who are sadly no longer with us. I make decorations every year and we enjoy a beautiful roast dinner, we bake biscuits together and my husband sews our dog a festive collar..none of it expensive and we don't go into debt. Christmas to us is spending it together with our dog. I like the saying "its not what's under the tree its who is beside the tree that matters" Thank you for the positive message..yes whatever we do its enough 🎄🎁
This Christmas will be one of the best,,my son and his fiancé have moved back home. I am looking forward to just spending time getting to know my future daughter in law,,,and a few gifts under the tree,,Family is the best ❤❤
I agree. I went to a black tie work do which is too high class for me. I wore what I had and still was complimented. 😅 I thought I looked like a pauper 😂
Just what I needed. Thank you both. The biggest pressure is the pressure we put on ourselves. I think we have a responsibility to stop raising children who know the cost of everything but the value of nothing. I'm not going into debt for Christmas. Vintage decs and no new decs bought
Thanks Jane. We will do a bit of decorating both inside and out with things we already have. We have lots of gifts for our son who is disabled and spends almost all his time at home so it provides lots of new things for the year ahead. Doing festive things at home and gong to church really are our Christmas activities. It is definitely good enough for us!
Great Video - thank you!! I'm doing my best at making my old and drafty home into a clean, cozy, comfortable, and festive place to enjoy the holidays - and I'm having fun doing it!! Be blessed!!
We managed to have everything raked and tucked in tight for the winter before we got our first snow. We celebrate the Yule season and enjoy our natural celebrations. The sons help since I lost hubs just over a year ago, and I miss the traditions we once shared. Thank you for your bright cheer. it is a bit terrifying here in the US
Thank you for your postive message. Using the same decorations from past years and I save gift bags to reuse. This year I will have $500 for 5 family members. As we are in our 70s Christmas is getting smaller and less hectic. Focusing on the reason for Christmas more and less on presents and decorations.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUCH A WONDERFUL VIDEO!!🥰 I have been using the same ornaments since both my kids were born. I added when they made something and each year we go to the local Christmas fair and buy a new handmade ornament. My kids are 21 and 19 and away from home in the service and I really enjoy my tree each year just looking at the memories. Y’all have a wonderful and blessed holiday season!
Thank you Jane for your affirming message! I've been re-using the same decorations inside and outside my house for years. I usually have to buy a bit of ribbon or a new light set (after Christmas when they're on deep discount). Our Christmas dinner will consist of many items raised here on my farm and be served on my Pfaltzgraff "Winter Berry" dishes that I've had for 20+ years. Each Christmas, I gift each of my 8 grandkids (ages 6-25) a one-ounce silver round with the year in hopes that they will save it for the future. I refuse to be in competition with the other grandparents for giving the biggest and best presents.
Decorations are up. Haven't bought any gifts yet. Waiting on the girls to tell me what they think they need. Lol. I've learned over the years not to stress buy. This time of year is about spending time with family and friends. Preparing good food, watching Christmas movies and actually slow down and enjoy. My husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas, my reply was I have my loving family, what else would I need, certainly not stuff.
We have a tree we bought at woolworths in the sale about 30+ years ago for £5!, its not the biggest but once decorated looks amazing. We love it and its the talk of the family ! Xx
My gifts are in the mail to California: mostly thrifty re-gifted (i had too much stuff), for my close friends, my good jewelry (earrings, bracelet & and necklace). Also, I included a holiday card.
Thanks, I needed that. I just started a new job and my apartment is a mess. I plan on working and going to my sister's house. If I only get the things out bit by bit, it's ok. If I don't have money for gifts, I will just play the harp...and that's good enough. If they don't want me to bring the harp, that's ok too. I can just be the charming guest if I haven't gotten gifts or made them or found things to re-gift...and that's good enough. If I have time to make my springerle I will be the only one guaranteed to eat them since everyone else has diabetes and that's also good enough.
Thank you so much for this series of videos. Today's message is so important these days particularly at Christmas! When I was little we lived in a beautiful rural spot and we didn't know that our Christmas was any more frugal than other family's it was normal life for us and though they had seven of us our parents were both very frugal and very resourceful so we wanted for nothing. A warm home, clean clothes, plenty of tasty, healthy, home grown and home cooked food and a loving atmosphere.... we had everything! The difference today is that people compare themselves and their situations and feel unhappy or even ashamed that they don't have or can't do more. I agree with you that whatever we have, whatever we do.... Is GOOD ENOUGH!
Lovely positive affirmation for people to take on board. I think Christmas is my favourite time of year, my 16 yr old granddaughter recently bought me a beautiful large porcelain robin for my 60th birthday, as I adore robins. She said whenever she sees a robin she thinks of me, which is a wonderful association. So, it deserves pride of place amongst the festive decorations! Whatever we do it is enough! 👏👏👏 Presents are lovely, but its the people who matter, food is lovely, but its the togetherness around the table that matters.
Hear! Hear! You're singing my song today, Jane! I only worry about the quality of time I can spend with friends and family at Christmas. Everything else is secondary. Happy 1st day of Vlogmas! 🎄🐾🎄🐾
Thank you for this reminder! I had major surgery a couple of weeks ago, so just being there is going to be my best this year. Luckily we did have a sinking fund for gifts and bought many of them ahead of time when we found things at reduced prices. I try to make sure we give people thoughtful gifts so that they know we love them, not something extravagant. I might not get out my decorations this year, but I am doing my best!
One Christmas when my late husband and I were both out of work, broke with very little money to spare for decorating, I made ornaments out of pine cones from our yard and made bows out of old ribbons I had saved. To this day, it was the best looking Christmas tree!
It's encouraging and cheering to hear this. My husband's going in for a fairly serious operation next week, and really I just want him home and on the mend for Christmas. Our dog-sitting friend is a boon, and she'll come over on Christmas eve, with her dog who's our dog's best mate, as usual, and I've suggested she think of a film she'd like to watch and I'll try to get hold of it and we'll be comfortable and quiet.
This is a lean year in terms of time. Caring for our mothers, lost one so attending her estate, the thing there is so little of is time. So, this "good enough" message is timely!
Thanks, Jane, Christmas for me is very simple. Im christian, so im more about what it means to give and love everyone around me, then buying way too much and getting myself in debt😢 and forgetting what this season is all about❤
That is such a lovely message Jane and Mike. I do not celebrate Christmas but I love this time of year and I have a yearly tradition of taking walks to see all the ways that New York is dressing up for Christmas, the store windows, the trees, the lights, the markets. There is a neighborhood called Dyer Heights not far from me that looks like Disney land at Christmas time with huge home and over the top decorations, we love to make a cup of hot chocolate, bundle up and take an evening walk to see all the larger than life homes, so much fun.
I stopped having a tree but what i did is i bought a large beautiful evergreen pot. Its made up of cut evergreen branches in a Christmas pot with pine cones and winter berries. Its lovely.
This message is so practical and encouraging. Thanks for putting this together. I'm so looking forward to this series. We've just had to replace our car (partially covered by our sinking and a bit of the emergency fund, but we will have a small payment for a little while.) All that to say, our pocket money will be going towards paying that down for a few months. Nothing that is needed will be done without, thanks in part to your great lessons over the years. We'll have a cosy, happy and frugal Christmas. Happy Christmas Jane and Mike!❤
Well said Jane. I am staying away from stores and trying to avoid Instagram and Vlogmas’s. Except yours of course, which I feel like is a good reminder that we need not spend more $. It is so easy to get caught up in the trap of thinking you “need” something to make it all special.
Jane Bravo for the Volgmas Good idea! Every year i make a little things of Christmas, it's unique, for example : make a little house with an hold Christmas post card or a little fairy to hang somewhere, just cardboard, glue, and small broken jewelry. I don't buy any creative kits arts. It is my pleasure, I find the soul of a child who shines in winter.
Thank you so much for this message. My sister is well to do and I simply can't buy my nieces and nephew what my sister can. I need to be reminded that what I give I am giving from my heart and not my wallet. ❤
One of my small Christmas decorations is a clear glass dessert dish of baby pine cones I collected while on a walk with my dog with a green ribbon that came wrapped around a blanket my mom brought me. I plan on doing the same with another, but red ribbon. Choosing not to over-consume gives you more opportunities to get creative!
There are fewer Christmases ahead of me than behind, so I enjoy just thinking about how they've changed throughout the years, as we adapted to different situations. Moved to a new place where we knew no-one? Well, we just had to make new traditions. We started with making a nativity scene from sticks and a thatched roof from straw (we lived on a small acreage and had animals), the figures were made from salt dough and we had a good laugh when two of them resembled ourselves (shepherds). and one of the wise men looked like Yassir Arafat. For sand, we used pearled barley and after it came out of storage the following year, the mice had nibbled a lot of that away, so it was cleaned up, disinfected, and fresh glue put down with a good sprinkle of sand from the aquarium. And here we are, 45 years later with that same nativity scene. It is good enough.
My christmas tree belonged to my grandma ❤ no new decorations, presents are only for the little cousins and God daughter and I asked what the kids wanted or needed. I am sending a few postcards to friends in US and Canada. This year I decided I won't stress with anything because that is not the point of christmas at all. No food coma nor ten different deserts. It sounds perfect to me and is more than enough this way. 😊
Oooh la la! Love your opening! Your house setting is so seasonal and lovely! You guys would crack up at our home 'decor' at the moment. We spent Thanksgiving-week being true to our DIY-selves. We gutted our hall bathroom and even though we are nearly finished, there is a toilet on our front porch, ceramic tiles on the living room floor, lots of tools and electric cording, and not a single sign of Christmas anywhere. Yet! (Give me 3 days...and no, we are not stressed at all, we're enjoying the renovation, doing our best.)
I recently lost a job at the end of May and did get another job in October but at less pay than my previous job so Christmas will be smaller this year with just presents for my (grown) children. We are slowing down this year and I don’t mind a bit!
Great day 1 of Vlogmas. Simple Christmas here, I look after the Grandchildren three days a week . Tomorrow whilst they are at school and nursery I am putting the tree up and the lights on it and then they will be decorating it after dinner. The Christmas CD I have had for 30 plus years will be on and the decorations we have had for years apart from the one each they chose this year. I am so looking forward to it. memories are so much more precious than stuff. Doing our Best to use what we have to create precious memories
Hi Jane and Mike yes frugal out of necessity when i was a kid with 7 of us in a 3 bedroom terrace house - home made decorations -very few presents a sock with fruit and nuts and a dinkey toy but good food but i used to hate the circus on the b + w tv - love cuteys
First I am very happy about this vlogmas! And second: Right yesterday my sister in law talked derogatory about christmas tree balls made of plastic. Now, nearly every our tree balls are made of plastic and we decorate with them since decades, and our tree is always beautiful in a vintage style with little straw stars which I really love. I love my sister in law, but she is a bit crazy for decorate her home. We have a christmas mill, bought in 1989 for a very cheap price, and we love it every year. My husband gave me last year two handmade new wings for the mill, because two of the old ones are broken. I love those gifts. Another story: I have a pen pal, who gifted me last year to christmas and this year to my birthday way too much "stuff". My pen pal is lovely, but I don't want the engagement to send her big gifts, too. So, in my last letter to her I asked her that we please not send each other gifts. Apperantly she did not like this idea, because she hasn't replied to me since. But I stand by it.
I have made several kinds of jams for gifting, hubby has made gifts in his workshop for kids and grandkids. Lots of time involved. Starting to decorate and put up tree and a few outside decorations. All my cookie and candy making stuff lined up for cooking.
Thank you for this lovely christmas-message. You are so right. I collected this weekend bark and branches from the garden and made a beautifull woodland-display with christmaslights. We also made a village in the window with natural material and all the christmas-groups we collected over the years. We still have a lovely ‘Hummel’-group from my mother and some decorations of my grandmother and things from when I was a kid. We decorated with the kids of our family and had such a beautifull time. So much lovely memories. The house and table are looking so beautifull and all good vibes are with us. We wish you the same for the hollidays!! 🌲🌲🌲🌲
Im doing my very best by minimizing. I gave my big tree to my son and got a tiny one last year and some pine cones. Now it's next to no effort to decorate and all fits into a small box under my bed. Gifts only for my grandkids and i will not plan family stuff, my grown kids and I can decide together. 😊😊😊 No stress for me!
I had a Christmas Club account this year!!! Hopefully I can make it work for all of my gifting! We are expecting about a half of an inch of snow tomorrow.
Xmass is free this year for me. Our Woolworths here in Australia let's us save our points for xmass that we can spend at Woolworths or big w. I've boosted all boost teams all year been cleaver getting my parents to also collect points for me. I have $1200 aussie dollars to spend. So all yummy food and gifts are done on points for me.
There have been some years when I've gone a little crazy with decorations and gifts. In recent years I've scaled it way back. This year, however, there's a noticeably somber atmosphere here in the US. Many of us are in mourning and I think I'm going to do the bare minimum and just focus on the holiday itself, not so much the festivities.
Great vid as always 😃 this yr I used all greenery from the garden for my outdoor decor and it looks great and cost nothing , i have fallen into the pinterest looking homes trap before but not this year am decluttering / selling / donating older stuff its shocking how we let ourselfs be controlled by consumerism
with a very elderly mother, I do not skimp on Christmas. BUT I am always unhappy with the piles of used gift wrap so this year I am making gift bags out of old tablecloths. they have been purchased on Boncoin and at the second hand store for 3 euros or less.
It's so silly to get ourselves exhausted trying to overdue everything for the holidays. It's better to pick just a few activities you enjoy and maybe prepare just one big fancy meal for your company. I tend to make Christmas a quiet religious celebration and the weeks before and after my visiting and gift giving times. I spent Thanksgiving week with my young grandchildren and took them on a special shopping trip to a little shop near their home. I live 5 hours drive away in the country and don't have much gift shopping available back here.
Yes, we do the best we can for our families! We are not the grandparents who can afford to be extravagant for our 15 grandchildren but we try to take into consideration each child’s interests and make or buy something to encourage that! We are doing our best!
That's so nice. I love that you think of what each grandchild likes. That's worth so much more than money in a card. I bet those kids will always remember that you took time to really notice their interests👏 ❤. Merry Christmas 🎄
@@FrugalQueeninFrance They looked to be having great fun. Part of Christmas memories is the Christmas Day walk with the dogs and a few extra family members.
“Good enough” is one of my favorite phrases❤️
My very best is the thought behind every gift given in love!
For the life of me, I do not understand decorating every inch of the house for Christmas. However, if that gives people joy, then more power to them. I am a single person household so my holidays are what I make of them. I have a small tree with decorations I have obtained over the years, and I decorate my mantle in the living room as well. I put a wreath (have had for years) on the front door and get out some Christmas dish towels and potholders for the kitchen. It's just enough to be cheery, bright, and festive. Thanks for all you, Mike, and the girls are doing for this year's Vlogmas. I am looking forward to each day's offerings.
Lots more to come
Me too!
Me too. 😀
Me too
Thank you, Jane, for your encouragement. I was feeling somewhat inferior today, and I really needed to hear this!
I ironed one of my lovely scarves to serve as a tablecloth, I bought a new tiny 18" Christmas tree that came with all the trimmings, and an Advent Calendar. That's the extent of my Christmas. I'll buy a ham steak for $2.50. I'm going to read and watch Little Women and have a bookish cozy Campervan, Christmas.
@@Shantelle6253 enjoy
How lovely sound wonderful cozy Christmas. I’d love a campervan.
Happy campervan Christmas 🎄🎁
We're married 53 years and so decorate with treasures accumulated over the years. This year our eight year old grand daughter decorated our artificial tree all by herself, and she had fun doing it as we sat in our chairs and cheered her on. :-) I make a lagsanga every year to take to my daughter's who hosts dinner.
Thanks for sharing
What a joy to see your granddaughter having a wonderful day and that joy spilling over to you two.
Our Christmas decorations are like a patchwork of memories..not expensive department store looking..my husband is in his 50s and we have some felt decorations he made when he was a child on our tree. I made baubles out of polystyrene balls and fabric and sequins with my beloved mum and grandma who are sadly no longer with us. I make decorations every year and we enjoy a beautiful roast dinner, we bake biscuits together and my husband sews our dog a festive collar..none of it expensive and we don't go into debt. Christmas to us is spending it together with our dog. I like the saying "its not what's under the tree its who is beside the tree that matters"
Thank you for the positive message..yes whatever we do its enough 🎄🎁
@@gregsgirl23au that's true
Thank you Jane. Your best is good enough should be a message all year round ❤
It is here
This Christmas will be one of the best,,my son and his fiancé have moved back home. I am looking forward to just spending time getting to know my future daughter in law,,,and a few gifts under the tree,,Family is the best ❤❤
@@cathyb3790 lovely 😊
I agree. I went to a black tie work do which is too high class for me. I wore what I had and still was complimented. 😅 I thought I looked like a pauper 😂
Just what I needed. Thank you both. The biggest pressure is the pressure we put on ourselves. I think we have a responsibility to stop raising children who know the cost of everything but the value of nothing. I'm not going into debt for Christmas. Vintage decs and no new decs bought
You got this!
Thank you Jane Mike and girls. Everything that comes out of your mouth makes so much sense. I'm 69 and use so many of your idea's.😊
Thanks so much
Thanks Jane. We will do a bit of decorating both inside and out with things we already have. We have lots of gifts for our son who is disabled and spends almost all his time at home so it provides lots of new things for the year ahead. Doing festive things at home and gong to church really are our Christmas activities. It is definitely good enough for us!
Thanks so much
Great Video - thank you!! I'm doing my best at making my old and drafty home into a clean, cozy, comfortable, and festive place to enjoy the holidays - and I'm having fun doing it!! Be blessed!!
Sounds perfectly good enough to me
We managed to have everything raked and tucked in tight for the winter before we got our first snow. We celebrate the Yule season and enjoy our natural celebrations. The sons help since I lost hubs just over a year ago, and I miss the traditions we once shared. Thank you for your bright cheer. it is a bit terrifying here in the US
@@jeannebowes2898 sorry to hear that
Thank you for your postive message. Using the same decorations from past years and I save gift bags to reuse. This year I will have $500 for 5 family members. As we are in our 70s Christmas is getting smaller and less hectic. Focusing on the reason for Christmas more and less on presents and decorations.
You are so welcome!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUCH A WONDERFUL VIDEO!!🥰 I have been using the same ornaments since both my kids were born. I added when they made something and each year we go to the local Christmas fair and buy a new handmade ornament. My kids are 21 and 19 and away from home in the service and I really enjoy my tree each year just looking at the memories. Y’all have a wonderful and blessed holiday season!
You are so welcome!
Mum of a veteran here. Thank your children for their service and thank you too. There's certainly family sacrifice with children in the service.
If it’s a gift to someone who sews I wrap it in cloth. Thank I for another great video.🇺🇸🇺🇸
You are so welcome!
Thank you Jane for your affirming message! I've been re-using the same decorations inside and outside my house for years. I usually have to buy a bit of ribbon or a new light set (after Christmas when they're on deep discount). Our Christmas dinner will consist of many items raised here on my farm and be served on my Pfaltzgraff "Winter Berry" dishes that I've had for 20+ years. Each Christmas, I gift each of my 8 grandkids (ages 6-25) a one-ounce silver round with the year in hopes that they will save it for the future. I refuse to be in competition with the other grandparents for giving the biggest and best presents.
Good idea
I needed to hear today's Vlogmas......thank you....... 😊💜
You are so welcome!
Decorations are up. Haven't bought any gifts yet. Waiting on the girls to tell me what they think they need. Lol. I've learned over the years not to stress buy. This time of year is about spending time with family and friends. Preparing good food, watching Christmas movies and actually slow down and enjoy. My husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas, my reply was I have my loving family, what else would I need, certainly not stuff.
@@cindiblazer8621 thanks for sharing
Thanks for the encouraging message, Jane and Mike!
Our pleasure!
Thank you for refreshing, kind and gentle reminder that we are doing our best 🎄Merry Christmas Jane and Mike.
You're welcome
We have a tree we bought at woolworths in the sale about 30+ years ago for £5!, its not the biggest but once decorated looks amazing. We love it and its the talk of the family ! Xx
We had a Woolies Christmas tree for years
I really miss having a Woolwiorths.🤗
My gifts are in the mail to California: mostly thrifty re-gifted (i had too much stuff), for my close friends, my good jewelry (earrings, bracelet & and necklace). Also, I included a holiday card.
That is awesome!
Thank you very much for the uplifting message 🙏🙏🙏
You're welcome
Thank you for doing Vlogmas, this will be most enjoyable. Thank you Dolly, Mary, Jane and Mike. Have a good day.
@@Sandra-s3p thanks so very much
Thanks for the peap talk Jane.
I agree with your sentiment.XX💜💖
Thank you
Thanks, I needed that. I just started a new job and my apartment is a mess. I plan on working and going to my sister's house. If I only get the things out bit by bit, it's ok. If I don't have money for gifts, I will just play the harp...and that's good enough. If they don't want me to bring the harp, that's ok too. I can just be the charming guest if I haven't gotten gifts or made them or found things to re-gift...and that's good enough. If I have time to make my springerle I will be the only one guaranteed to eat them since everyone else has diabetes and that's also good enough.
@@Katesharpandvoice thanks for sharing
Thank you so much for this series of videos. Today's message is so important these days particularly at Christmas! When I was little we lived in a beautiful rural spot and we didn't know that our Christmas was any more frugal than other family's it was normal life for us and though they had seven of us our parents were both very frugal and very resourceful so we wanted for nothing. A warm home, clean clothes, plenty of tasty, healthy, home grown and home cooked food and a loving atmosphere.... we had everything! The difference today is that people compare themselves and their situations and feel unhappy or even ashamed that they don't have or can't do more.
I agree with you that whatever we have, whatever we do.... Is GOOD ENOUGH!
So true
Lovely positive affirmation for people to take on board. I think Christmas is my favourite time of year, my 16 yr old granddaughter recently bought me a beautiful large porcelain robin for my 60th birthday, as I adore robins. She said whenever she sees a robin she thinks of me, which is a wonderful association. So, it deserves pride of place amongst the festive decorations! Whatever we do it is enough! 👏👏👏 Presents are lovely, but its the people who matter, food is lovely, but its the togetherness around the table that matters.
@@caroldaviddaviejohnson2225 thank you
I haven't celebrated Christmas in over 20 years, and I am much happier for it
Thanks for watching
Hear! Hear! You're singing my song today, Jane! I only worry about the quality of time I can spend with friends and family at Christmas. Everything else is secondary. Happy 1st day of Vlogmas! 🎄🐾🎄🐾
Have fun! More to come
Your vlogmas are my favorites. Thank you for sharing with us during this period of time.
Glad you like them!
Thank you for this. It helps me break out of the "I need just one more thing" cycle.
Thank you for this reminder! I had major surgery a couple of weeks ago, so just being there is going to be my best this year. Luckily we did have a sinking fund for gifts and bought many of them ahead of time when we found things at reduced prices. I try to make sure we give people thoughtful gifts so that they know we love them, not something extravagant. I might not get out my decorations this year, but I am doing my best!
@@clairedemuth4369 I hope you get well soon
The words of wisdom JANE ❤ my best is being with my son and spending time together at home 🏠 Happy blessed Holidays everyone 🤗🎄
Happy VLOGMAS to you too
Thank you Jane and Mike. Sound advice ❤
Our pleasure!
What a beautiful way to kick off vlogmas!! Thank you♥️
You're welcome
One Christmas when my late husband and I were both out of work, broke with very little money to spare for decorating, I made ornaments out of pine cones from our yard and made bows out of old ribbons I had saved. To this day, it was the best looking Christmas tree!
Love that!
Yay, Vlogmas time is here!!!
It's encouraging and cheering to hear this. My husband's going in for a fairly serious operation next week, and really I just want him home and on the mend for Christmas. Our dog-sitting friend is a boon, and she'll come over on Christmas eve, with her dog who's our dog's best mate, as usual, and I've suggested she think of a film she'd like to watch and I'll try to get hold of it and we'll be comfortable and quiet.
@@BrittanyLucy that sounds lovely
This is a lean year in terms of time. Caring for our mothers, lost one so attending her estate, the thing there is so little of is time. So, this "good enough" message is timely!
@@ruthtaylor7863 thanks so much
Thanks for the encouragement
You are so welcome
Thank you Jane...Blessings to you and Mike.
@@jeanwright8346 thanks so much
Well said Jane.👏👏👏😻🙏❤️
Thanks
What a wonderful message to all of us - Your best is good enough - so obvious yet often not complied!
Thank you Jane & Mike!
Our pleasure!
Thanks, Jane, Christmas for me is very simple. Im christian, so im more about what it means to give and love everyone around me, then buying way too much and getting myself in debt😢 and forgetting what this season is all about❤
Thanks for watching
Always lovely to see you Jane. 😃 Looking forward to the rest of Vlogmas. 🤗🎄🦌🎄🦌
See you tomorrow
👍😃@@FrugalQueeninFrance
That is such a lovely message Jane and Mike. I do not celebrate Christmas but I love this time of year and I have a yearly tradition of taking walks to see all the ways that New York is dressing up for Christmas, the store windows, the trees, the lights, the markets. There is a neighborhood called Dyer Heights not far from me that looks like Disney land at Christmas time with huge home and over the top decorations, we love to make a cup of hot chocolate, bundle up and take an evening walk to see all the larger than life homes, so much fun.
@@rachelkieffer8707 thanks for sharing
Making my Christmas for the very first time and pretty happy with the results I’m having!
Wonderful!
Your advice is such a blessing!
@@SharonMcGee-b2i thank you
Love the Vlogmas 😊.
Thank you Jane and Mike for some common sense in the silly season 🇦🇺🇦🇺
Thanks so much
I stopped having a tree but what i did is i bought a large beautiful evergreen pot. Its made up of cut evergreen branches in a Christmas pot with pine cones and winter berries. Its lovely.
Sounds great!
This message is so practical and encouraging. Thanks for putting this together. I'm so looking forward to this series. We've just had to replace our car (partially covered by our sinking and a bit of the emergency fund, but we will have a small payment for a little while.) All that to say, our pocket money will be going towards paying that down for a few months. Nothing that is needed will be done without, thanks in part to your great lessons over the years. We'll have a cosy, happy and frugal Christmas. Happy Christmas Jane and Mike!❤
@@ericawaddle94 thank you
Well said Jane. I am staying away from stores and trying to avoid Instagram and Vlogmas’s. Except yours of course, which I feel like is a good reminder that we need not spend more $. It is so easy to get caught up in the trap of thinking you “need” something to make it all special.
Thank you 😊
Thanks for doing vlogmas Jane and Mike.
More to come!
Thank you,you are so right. Looking forward the rest of the vlogs.
More to come!
Jane Bravo for the Volgmas Good idea! Every year i make a little things of Christmas, it's unique, for example : make a little house with an hold Christmas post card or a little fairy to hang somewhere, just cardboard, glue, and small broken jewelry. I don't buy any creative kits arts. It is my pleasure, I find the soul of a child who shines in winter.
Thanks for watching
Thank you so much for this message. My sister is well to do and I simply can't buy my nieces and nephew what my sister can. I need to be reminded that what I give I am giving from my heart and not my wallet. ❤
@@angelflorczyk9428 know in your heart that you are good enough
One of my small Christmas decorations is a clear glass dessert dish of baby pine cones I collected while on a walk with my dog with a green ribbon that came wrapped around a blanket my mom brought me. I plan on doing the same with another, but red ribbon. Choosing not to over-consume gives you more opportunities to get creative!
Agreed
There are fewer Christmases ahead of me than behind, so I enjoy just thinking about how they've changed throughout the years, as we adapted to different situations. Moved to a new place where we knew no-one? Well, we just had to make new traditions. We started with making a nativity scene from sticks and a thatched roof from straw (we lived on a small acreage and had animals), the figures were made from salt dough and we had a good laugh when two of them resembled ourselves (shepherds). and one of the wise men looked like Yassir Arafat. For sand, we used pearled barley and after it came out of storage the following year, the mice had nibbled a lot of that away, so it was cleaned up, disinfected, and fresh glue put down with a good sprinkle of sand from the aquarium. And here we are, 45 years later with that same nativity scene. It is good enough.
Thanks for sharing
My christmas tree belonged to my grandma ❤ no new decorations, presents are only for the little cousins and God daughter and I asked what the kids wanted or needed. I am sending a few postcards to friends in US and Canada. This year I decided I won't stress with anything because that is not the point of christmas at all. No food coma nor ten different deserts. It sounds perfect to me and is more than enough this way. 😊
@@addy088 absolutely more than good enough
I’m hoping I stick to my budget! Sometimes it’s hard to. I think gift wise I’ll be fine but groceries not so sure. I have to smarten up!!!
Smart meal planning helps. It's just one meal for one day.
Oooh la la! Love your opening! Your house setting is so seasonal and lovely!
You guys would crack up at our home 'decor' at the moment. We spent Thanksgiving-week being true to our DIY-selves. We gutted our hall bathroom and even though we are nearly finished, there is a toilet on our front porch, ceramic tiles on the living room floor, lots of tools and electric cording, and not a single sign of Christmas anywhere. Yet! (Give me 3 days...and no, we are not stressed at all, we're enjoying the renovation, doing our best.)
@@BlueRidgeVirginia love it!
Well said! I am known as the relative who wraps presents in the Funny Papers and old maps! Everyone loves it and it is an opportunity to re-purpose!
@@bradlafferty I love that idea
Wonderfu! Me too. I save the Sunday “funnies” for wrapping paper, and sometimes packing if I have extra. :-)
My dad always used to say he didn’t care what things were wrapped in…. So for a few years running I wrapped his gifts in newspaper 🤣
Thank you! I needed to hear this! Look forward to this series.
So glad!
Thank you, Jane. We all need to hear that. ❤
You are so welcome
Love your channel ❤️
Thank you so much!!
👍👍👍
Thank you
Great message Jane🎄💛
@@krissy2321 thanks so much
I recently lost a job at the end of May and did get another job in October but at less pay than my previous job so Christmas will be smaller this year with just presents for my (grown) children.
We are slowing down this year and I don’t mind a bit!
It sounds perfectly good enough to me
What a great message ! Sending best regards to you both .
@@mimitadigre4103 thanks
Great day 1 of Vlogmas. Simple Christmas here, I look after the Grandchildren three days a week . Tomorrow whilst they are at school and nursery I am putting the tree up and the lights on it and then they will be decorating it after dinner. The Christmas CD I have had for 30 plus years will be on and the decorations we have had for years apart from the one each they chose this year. I am so looking forward to it. memories are so much more precious than stuff. Doing our Best to use what we have to create precious memories
Thanks for watching
I didn't even put up a tree last year and none of the family even the little grandchildren said where's the tree
Your best is good enough
Hi Jane and Mike yes frugal out of necessity when i was a kid with 7 of us in a 3 bedroom terrace house - home made decorations -very few presents a sock with fruit and nuts and a dinkey toy but good food but i used to hate the circus on the b + w tv - love cuteys
Thanks
First I am very happy about this vlogmas! And second: Right yesterday my sister in law talked derogatory about christmas tree balls made of plastic. Now, nearly every our tree balls are made of plastic and we decorate with them since decades, and our tree is always beautiful in a vintage style with little straw stars which I really love. I love my sister in law, but she is a bit crazy for decorate her home.
We have a christmas mill, bought in 1989 for a very cheap price, and we love it every year. My husband gave me last year two handmade new wings for the mill, because two of the old ones are broken. I love those gifts.
Another story: I have a pen pal, who gifted me last year to christmas and this year to my birthday way too much "stuff". My pen pal is lovely, but I don't want the engagement to send her big gifts, too. So, in my last letter to her I asked her that we please not send each other gifts. Apperantly she did not like this idea, because she hasn't replied to me since.
But I stand by it.
Good for you
I’m doing my xmas decs next weekend xx
I have made several kinds of jams for gifting, hubby has made gifts in his workshop for kids and grandkids. Lots of time involved. Starting to decorate and put up tree and a few outside decorations. All my cookie and candy making stuff lined up for cooking.
@@ksewald91 how lovely
Jane oh so true!!
Thanks 😊
Thank you for this lovely christmas-message. You are so right. I collected this weekend bark and branches from the garden and made a beautifull woodland-display with christmaslights. We also made a village in the window with natural material and all the christmas-groups we collected over the years. We still have a lovely ‘Hummel’-group from my mother and some decorations of my grandmother and things from when I was a kid. We decorated with the kids of our family and had such a beautifull time. So much lovely memories. The house and table are looking so beautifull and all good vibes are with us. We wish you the same for the hollidays!! 🌲🌲🌲🌲
How lovely
Thanks!❤
You're welcome 😊
Im doing my very best by minimizing. I gave my big tree to my son and got a tiny one last year and some pine cones. Now it's next to no effort to decorate and all fits into a small box under my bed. Gifts only for my grandkids and i will not plan family stuff, my grown kids and I can decide together. 😊😊😊 No stress for me!
Sounds perfect
I had a Christmas Club account this year!!! Hopefully I can make it work for all of my gifting! We are expecting about a half of an inch of snow tomorrow.
You can do it!
Thank you x
You are so welcome
Xmass is free this year for me. Our Woolworths here in Australia let's us save our points for xmass that we can spend at Woolworths or big w. I've boosted all boost teams all year been cleaver getting my parents to also collect points for me. I have $1200 aussie dollars to spend. So all yummy food and gifts are done on points for me.
Enjoy
Such a joy you give me with your posts. Thank you very much❤
You are so welcome
There have been some years when I've gone a little crazy with decorations and gifts. In recent years I've scaled it way back. This year, however, there's a noticeably somber atmosphere here in the US. Many of us are in mourning and I think I'm going to do the bare minimum and just focus on the holiday itself, not so much the festivities.
Sorry to hear that
This year Inam sewing reusable “paper towels “ out of flannel for my Daughter and I am canning Wassail for my Son in Law
Lovely
Most of my decor for Christmas has been gifted to me, or is so old I don't even remember where or how I got it.
Love that
Yes very good reminder! Are y’all going to England for Christmas?
@@CherylAnderson0 thanks for watching
Great vid as always 😃 this yr I used all greenery from the garden for my outdoor decor and it looks great and cost nothing , i have fallen into the pinterest looking homes trap before but not this year am decluttering / selling / donating older stuff its shocking how we let ourselfs be controlled by consumerism
That is awesome!
Got all my gluten free stuff is in x
with a very elderly mother, I do not skimp on Christmas. BUT I am always unhappy with the piles of used gift wrap so this year I am making gift bags out of old tablecloths. they have been purchased on Boncoin and at the second hand store for 3 euros or less.
That's lovely
It's so silly to get ourselves exhausted trying to overdue everything for the holidays. It's better to pick just a few activities you enjoy and maybe prepare just one big fancy meal for your company. I tend to make Christmas a quiet religious celebration and the weeks before and after my visiting and gift giving times. I spent Thanksgiving week with my young grandchildren and took them on a special shopping trip to a little shop near their home. I live 5 hours drive away in the country and don't have much gift shopping available back here.
Thanks for sharing
I'm doing my best not doing my best.
Yes, we do the best we can for our families! We are not the grandparents who can afford to be extravagant for our 15 grandchildren but we try to take into consideration each child’s interests and make or buy something to encourage that! We are doing our best!
That's so nice. I love that you think of what each grandchild likes. That's worth so much more than money in a card. I bet those kids will always remember that you took time to really notice their interests👏 ❤. Merry Christmas 🎄
@ well I have to admit, a few of the older ones are interested in money in a card! 😆
Thanks for sharing
Thank you Jane and Michael, I am looking forward to seeing you every day. ❤
Us too!
Did I see three dogs at the end of the video?
Old video, dolly was the young dog, two others long dead
@@FrugalQueeninFrance They looked to be having great fun. Part of Christmas memories is the Christmas Day walk with the dogs and a few extra family members.
Jane, who is the third dog? Did I miss a special moment?
@tuttsclumpcottage7911 very old video, 2 long dead
@FrugalQueeninFrance sorry 😞
@ don't be, they lived great lives, all living beings die eventually
@@FrugalQueeninFrance I am sure you gave them a wonderful life just as I do with mine.
Would you be offended if I asked you what skin care/ foundation you use Your face looks lovely. Old Brummie in Canada.
I don't wear any make up and I use cerave moisturizer
@@FrugalQueeninFrance Thank you. Your skin looks flawless.
Thank you ❤
You're welcome 😊