Working Ahead of Need:
Preparing for the Holidays All Year Round
"Necessity never made a good bargain."
~~Benjamin Franklin
"Most people begin preparing for Christmas and the winter holidays in December, however, as you may have gathered, I prepare all year round. My Gift and Craft Pantries are often bulging by the time winter arrives, which allows me to spend the bulk of my time during the holidays savoring the joy of organizing gift boxes and baskets, baking and putting the finishing touches on the gifts that I make. Why do I do this? So that what I give will impart that unique (now rare) quality of things made by the human hand. The bonus? Implementing this philosophy eases strain on our finances and time...as well as the environment.
My desire to prepare for the holidays often begins with the first sunny day of spring (sometimes sooner) and continues through the sweltering summer months, matures during autumn's golden days, and comes to rest during the season of winter. The only antidote for such a passion is to bring out one of my idea books and record the new concepts that are suggested to me by the garden. In it I organize my thoughts and...while basking in the spring sunshine...assign a theme to my winter holiday (and the family Gift Pantry) for the year."
The excerpt above was taken from: Frugal Luxuries by the Seasons, by Tracey McBride, Published by Bantam Books, NY, NY, 2000.
My desire to prepare for the holidays often begins with the first sunny day of spring (sometimes sooner) and continues through the sweltering summer months, matures during autumn's golden days, and comes to rest during the season of winter. The only antidote for such a passion is to bring out one of my idea books and record the new concepts that are suggested to me by the garden. In it I organize my thoughts and...while basking in the spring sunshine...assign a theme to my winter holiday (and the family Gift Pantry) for the year."
The excerpt above was taken from: Frugal Luxuries by the Seasons, by Tracey McBride, Published by Bantam Books, NY, NY, 2000.
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I love, love, love to give beautifully practical gifts...
as well as physical tokens of good thoughts.
Thus...the creation...in 2000...of our
Frugal Luxuries Good Thoughts Collection TM :
Good Fortune and Prosperity Soup !!!
Confetti soup mix is composed of dried white, black, and pinto beans, mixed with peas and lentils. It's presented in a re~purposed Tapenade jar (from Trader Joe's).
We're always on the lookout for useful additions to our Gift Pantry whenever we are thrifting and yard~sale~ing. Above is a small, vintage soup tureen that will be especially charming when presented with a jar of our Good Thoughts Soup!
These whimsical, silver~plated spoons will add even more enchantment to our soup~themed gifts!
Remember to gift one to yourself while you are in the creative mode...you deserve it!!!
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Any plans yet for your Gift Pantry this year?
Also...
later this week
I will posting the jar labels for you to download and
more Spring Gift Pantry ideas!
Hope you're all having as much fun as we are!!
Warmly,
Tracey and Family
x0x
Great idea. I always say I'm going to start preparing for Christmas early and I don't because I get involved in other things and it's easy to put off Christmas. Last year I made several food gifts, so I think I will be thinking about it early this year. I'll be looking for ideas. I like your soup idea. I think if I make a place for these items to be stored it will motivate me to fill it. Thanks. Linda
ReplyDeleteHi Linda! You're are so right in that it's incredibly easy to put off preparing for Christmas...especially in spring, summer and fall!! That being said, you're also right in that if you establish a place for all your premade or prepurchased gifts you WILL fill it!!!
ReplyDeleteI also was thinking that I should clarify that when I say "pantry" I don't mean an actual pantry! (Although, if you have one I hope you consider yourself blessed!). I've carved out a few shelves in the oversize cupboards of our garage that serve as our gift pantry. Should that become crowded I'll put the overflow in a shallow box under a bed, or add a few pretty storage boxes to the top shelf the coat or laundry closet~~or wherever space allows!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Warmly,
Tracey
x0x
P.S. I really enjoyed your post regarding morning quiet time!
Very smart. I start in the late summer. I'm going to try and move that up this year.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the good words DD! Yes, the earlier I start the more soothed is my budget as well as my life in December! :)
ReplyDeleteWarmly,
Tracey
x0x
Great ideas everybody loves soup! Have a great day,
ReplyDeleteBetty
What a good idea! I DO have a gift closet & I never thought of pairing a vintage find with something new! I LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteFrugal luxuries are really pretty wonderful aren't they :)
Oh yes Libbie...I agree...and they abound...so long as we have eyes to see them!!! Your nice words are much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteWarmly,
Tracey
P.S. Hope everyone made it home safe and sound! x0x
You are so right Clarice! That reminds me...I need to get in gear and post those labels!!! I've finally cleared a path to my scanner so will have them up today or tomorrow!!!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Tracey
x0x
Tracey you are just so smart to prepare all year. You always have the best ideas and I can learn so much from you. I want to be better prepared for holiday gift giving this year and set it as a goal last Christmas. I'm always way behind. I will do better!
ReplyDeletehugs
June, from what I can tell by your enchanting blog you do just fine!!! You are so creative and productive. I do have to say that the gift pantry is such a blessing in December when the time is tight and the budget is tighter...thus...working ahead of need by stocking the Gift Pantry all year long is really a present to ourselves...at least that's the way I look at it! (Plus it's so much more fun when there's no stress attached. :)
ReplyDeleteLove and hugs,
Tracey
x0x
True words Betty!!! It covers so many bases...meal...gift...good thoughts too (in our case :)!
ReplyDeleteWarmly,
Tracey
x0x
Hi Audra! I know I need a nudge or two now and then and that's why I enjoy your blog...in fact it's why I visit and enjoy all of our wonderful kindred~spirit bloggers blogs (say that three times fast!). I think we all pitch in to encourage, remind and inspire each other on a regular basis and THAT is truly a valuable frugal luxury!
ReplyDeleteLove and hugs,
Tracey
x0x
I think the gift pantry is one the first ideas I implemented from your book! I love how you choose a theme for the year! That makes it easier to "find" things when you're focused on one thing. I love the idea of homemade soups because you present them so beautifully. Who wouldn't want that (I have some picky family memembers who aren't so thrilled with "homemade").
ReplyDeleteManuela
I know what you mean Manuela, about those "picky" types. Food gifts are usually appreciated by everyone, but for the harder to please I generally mix something homemade with something store bought...such as soup with an interesting ladle, a pretty serving bowl (new) and the like...or I simply put together a different sort of gift altogether!
ReplyDeleteLove and hugs,
Tracey
x0x
P.S. Your kind words are very, very appreciated Manuela...thank you so much for your friendship and encouragement over these years...it means a lot to me!