Rebecca Moses, fashion designer
The best looking tables look improvised, not stuffy. When the plates and napkins don't match, it looks spontaneous, as though each guest had a place set just for them.
1. Mix, don't match
Use patterns with solids, and use white to play with the colors in linens. You don't want to end up with all the same pattern everywhere.
2. Set the stage
Always use a table cloth, which unifies. Chargers act as a base for switching salad, dinner, and dessert plates.
3. Keep it low
Centerpieces shouldn't prevent guests from making eye contact. Flowers shouldn't be too fragrant, or they will compete with the food. Potted herbs such as rosemary, sage, and thyme look earthy, and their fragrance compliments Italian food.
4. Finish right
Put out a pitcher of water, a bowl of sea salt, a pepper grinder, and a few dishes of olive oil, so your guests have everything they need at arm's reach.
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Monday, October 26, 2015
Spend Less, Give More via Good Housekeeping
We all would like to give lavish presents to the people we love. However, gift-giving is a touchy and pricey prospect for many of us living on a budget.
1. Everyone gets a price tag
Make a simple budget char before you start shopping. Determine how much you have to spend in total and write that number at the top of the page, so it's always in view. Then decide whom you will be buying for, and list their names down the left side of the page. Put dollar limits in the next column and the gift you'd like to purchase in a third column. Finally, leave a fourth column to record what you actually spent. This method gives you targets to stick to, increasing your likelihood of success. You can also shop knowing that if you overspend on someone, it will have to come out of someone else's budgeted amount.
Carry your budget with you when you shop in stores, and keep it in view when you shop online. You can also use an app like Envelopes to keep track of your budget for you.
2. Secret Santa is a frugal woman's best friend
All the budgeting in the world won't help if there are simply too many people on your list. Secret Santa and similar traditions allow family members (or co-workers, or friends) to buy just one gift while infusing the gift-giving with an element of surprise and fun.
3. Sweat the small stuff
Over a third of our holiday shopping is spent on non-gift items, such as food, decorations, and greeting cards. Shipping also takes a huge bite out of the gift-giving budget. Consider all these factors, as well as wrapping, into your budget.
4. Stop giving (to some people)
Don't give just because you feel guilty or think you owe someone. Tipping mail carriers, child-care providers, etc. can be a huge undertaking, and sometimes you can't afford everyone. Consider giving those tips at another time in the year, when money is less tight. Other gifts can include services you can offer.
5. Get creative
Don't underestimate the power of a homemade gift, such as a neat arrangement of your own recipes. Redeeming points from rewards cards or credit cards can also make good gifts in a bind.
6. Let a "thank you" be enough
What do you do if you receive an unexpected gift? Trying to keep up with others is fiscally irresponsible and unnecessary. Your ego can be your biggest enemy. You can reciprocate with handmade cards or a homecooked meal, not necessarily in kind to what your gift was.
7. Start next year's planning now
The best way to get a handle on next year is to realize that time is on your side. Stock up on seasonal items after the holidays. Shop for affordable gifts throughout the year. Assemble your purchases in December and determine what you have left to buy. Earmark special savings throughout the year to go toward holiday spending when the time comes.
If you bust your budget, figure out where you went wrong. Was it overspending across the board? On one particular person? Give yourself a vision of what you want your holiday season to be like and remind yourself throughout the year to prepare for it.
1. Everyone gets a price tag
Make a simple budget char before you start shopping. Determine how much you have to spend in total and write that number at the top of the page, so it's always in view. Then decide whom you will be buying for, and list their names down the left side of the page. Put dollar limits in the next column and the gift you'd like to purchase in a third column. Finally, leave a fourth column to record what you actually spent. This method gives you targets to stick to, increasing your likelihood of success. You can also shop knowing that if you overspend on someone, it will have to come out of someone else's budgeted amount.
Carry your budget with you when you shop in stores, and keep it in view when you shop online. You can also use an app like Envelopes to keep track of your budget for you.
2. Secret Santa is a frugal woman's best friend
All the budgeting in the world won't help if there are simply too many people on your list. Secret Santa and similar traditions allow family members (or co-workers, or friends) to buy just one gift while infusing the gift-giving with an element of surprise and fun.
3. Sweat the small stuff
Over a third of our holiday shopping is spent on non-gift items, such as food, decorations, and greeting cards. Shipping also takes a huge bite out of the gift-giving budget. Consider all these factors, as well as wrapping, into your budget.
4. Stop giving (to some people)
Don't give just because you feel guilty or think you owe someone. Tipping mail carriers, child-care providers, etc. can be a huge undertaking, and sometimes you can't afford everyone. Consider giving those tips at another time in the year, when money is less tight. Other gifts can include services you can offer.
5. Get creative
Don't underestimate the power of a homemade gift, such as a neat arrangement of your own recipes. Redeeming points from rewards cards or credit cards can also make good gifts in a bind.
6. Let a "thank you" be enough
What do you do if you receive an unexpected gift? Trying to keep up with others is fiscally irresponsible and unnecessary. Your ego can be your biggest enemy. You can reciprocate with handmade cards or a homecooked meal, not necessarily in kind to what your gift was.
7. Start next year's planning now
The best way to get a handle on next year is to realize that time is on your side. Stock up on seasonal items after the holidays. Shop for affordable gifts throughout the year. Assemble your purchases in December and determine what you have left to buy. Earmark special savings throughout the year to go toward holiday spending when the time comes.
If you bust your budget, figure out where you went wrong. Was it overspending across the board? On one particular person? Give yourself a vision of what you want your holiday season to be like and remind yourself throughout the year to prepare for it.
How to Wrap a Gift Beautifully via Allure
1. Make it right
Natural looking fibers and quality products shine, while overly synthetic appearances detract. It doesn't matter how beautiful your material is if you don't fold and tape neatly.
2. Pick a theme
Traditional paper is not memorable. Adding ribbon, lace, or matching your own similar style is more eye-catching.
3. Get personal
Be inspired by the recipient of your gift. Wrap the present in plain white paper and glue on photos of your friend. Use a ribbon that matches the colors in a prominent photo. Stamp their initials on. You can also match the style of the wrapping to the gift itself.
4. Add adornments
Adding small trinkets or additional flourishes can make the packaging look like a decoration, or can connect to something the recipient enjoys.
5. Be resourceful
Scarves, bandanas, or even newspapers with the right fix can work as gift wrap in a pinch.
Shop Smarter This Season via Good Housekeeping
Money saving strategies for getting all the perfect gifts on your list.
1. Buy when the price is right
Multi-tasking sites, like shoppingnotes.com and shopittome.com, send alerts when the price of items you're interested in are reduced. How it works: you sign up with your e-mail address and note the brands and/or items you want to track. Then you will get the e-mail messages when the goods go on sale. Shoppingnotes.com also offers benefits for referrals.
Use Amazon's Price Check app. Scan a barcode, snap a picture, or say or type in a product name. The app will find the lowest available price from Amazon and its online merchants.
2. Cash in on old electronics
Trade in anything used at Best Buy (whether or not you bought it there). Go to bestbuy.com/tradin to see what your item is worth, then ship your merchandise to the company with a prepaid label or bring it to a participating store. Choose either a rebate gift card or a check (which will be a smaller value).
3. Stay local
Stop by places you pass everyday to see what the local market has to offer, saving time, gas, and stress. Go to shoplocal.com.
4. Pick a secondhand Apple
Refurbished iPads and other elecronics go for much less than buying the products brand-new. Apple tests and certifies pre-owned items and offers warranties and free shipping. Go to apple.com and search for Special Deals.
5. Scope out free shipping
Freeshipping.com is a website that cagalogs sites and coupons that will get you free shipping. Sticking to gift cards will also reduce the cost of getting an item to you.
6. Get two gifts for the price of one
Bookperk.com is a website that ties in promotions to book published by Harper Collins. Bundled gifts usually ship at no charge.
1. Buy when the price is right
Multi-tasking sites, like shoppingnotes.com and shopittome.com, send alerts when the price of items you're interested in are reduced. How it works: you sign up with your e-mail address and note the brands and/or items you want to track. Then you will get the e-mail messages when the goods go on sale. Shoppingnotes.com also offers benefits for referrals.
Use Amazon's Price Check app. Scan a barcode, snap a picture, or say or type in a product name. The app will find the lowest available price from Amazon and its online merchants.
2. Cash in on old electronics
Trade in anything used at Best Buy (whether or not you bought it there). Go to bestbuy.com/tradin to see what your item is worth, then ship your merchandise to the company with a prepaid label or bring it to a participating store. Choose either a rebate gift card or a check (which will be a smaller value).
3. Stay local
Stop by places you pass everyday to see what the local market has to offer, saving time, gas, and stress. Go to shoplocal.com.
4. Pick a secondhand Apple
Refurbished iPads and other elecronics go for much less than buying the products brand-new. Apple tests and certifies pre-owned items and offers warranties and free shipping. Go to apple.com and search for Special Deals.
5. Scope out free shipping
Freeshipping.com is a website that cagalogs sites and coupons that will get you free shipping. Sticking to gift cards will also reduce the cost of getting an item to you.
6. Get two gifts for the price of one
Bookperk.com is a website that ties in promotions to book published by Harper Collins. Bundled gifts usually ship at no charge.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)