Christmas?? It's July!

I know, I know, who wants to think about Christmas in July??? The truth is, not many of us! But, if you want to reduce the stress and save your budget this year, July is truly the perfect time to start on Christmas! Planning ahead will reduce the temptation and frustration of overspending in December. Here are some ideas and tips to get you started.
1. Make a list! Start by writing down who you want to get gifts for this year.
2. Divide the number of names on your list by the number of payperiods you have until Thanksgiving.
3. Decide your limit on how much you want to spend for each gift and STICK TO IT!
4. Purchase/make those gifts using ONLY the amount you have delegated for them each payday, then WRITE what you've bought and where you've put it by the name on the list!!!!
5. When buying online, try to combine your order. You'll save on shipping if you buy several things at a time and have them shipped together!

Tips: Get creative! Think "couples, or family" gifts. You can often pare down your list by making/purchasing 1 gift that is suitable for the entire family, saving yourself a heap of time and money! How about a Movie Night Themed Gift. Purchase a video, suitable for the couple/family on your list, or give them a gift certificate from a video rental store. Add some packets of microwave popcorn, a couple boxes of "movie theater" style candy from the dollar stores, wrap it all up in a cute basket or box and VOILA, a family gift!

Some "romantic spa" items for a couple is always appreciated! Handmilled soaps (http://hangingtreelodge.com/product.sc?categoryId=5&productId=14), a soap filled loofah (http://hangingtreelodge.com/product.sc?categoryId=5&productId=5) and a dog bone pillow (http://hangingtreelodge.com/product.sc?categoryId=7&productId=18) can all be attractively wrapped in a basket for those newlyweds, or couples who would like to feel like newlyweds, again!

Think personal: What would that person truly love? Shopping early gives you time to actually find something you know your recipient will appreciate!

Consider handmade: Starting early gives you the time to actually make something for that special someone! There are tons of free patterns/ideas on the internet for creating your own gifts! Skill levels range from incredibly easy, to quite complicated. If you aren't up to the challenge, consider giving them a handcrafted item made by someone else! We'd appreciate your consideration of the fine gifts made here at Hanging Tree Lodge, http://www.hangingtreelodge.com for any and all of your gift giving needs.

For your "GREEN" friends, consider making them each an eco-friendly, budget friendly cleaning kit! You can find the "recipes" for making these kits, here! http://hangingtreelodge.com/product.sc?categoryId=2&productId=7

We hope these ideas save you some frustration and $$$ this year!

More on Natural Insect Repellents

Hi, all!
Good Morning America had a segment on Natural Insect Repellents this morning! Michael Raupp, a professor of entomology, explains how to repel those critters. Watch this clip to find out which products are readily available on the market,http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=8089789&page=1

Then, check out our earlier post for a FREE, $$$ Saving Recipe" to make your own!
http://hangingtreelodge.blogspot.com/2009/06/official-start-of-summer.html

Q: What's up with those "Green Cleaning" products you offer?

A: We thought you'd never ask!

Even though I've been making and using most of these cleaners for years for use in our own home, I got really serious about it when our grown daughter somehow got a staph infection on her arm! (She's in and out of the ER for work every day). She went to urgent care where they put her on some powerful antibiotics and did a culture to see if it was MRSA, (you know, those bacteria that are resistant to most antibiotics and are becoming rampant in our hospitals and environment?) So, I started researching this and found that the many of the cleaning and personal products offered to consumers can actually do more harm than good! Not only were the antibacterial products creating resistant cooties, but they are also bad for our bodies and immune systems, as well as the environment! I set out to create some natural household cleaners that contained ingredients that research has shown to be effective in killing off many of these nasty "superbugs" and are not harmful to our bodies, or the environment. My daughter is doing much better, now. And she's now started using these products in her own home. Thankfully, it wasn't MRSA... this time. Scary, though.
Now, I'm offering the fruits of my research to you!
These products are:
Budget Friendly: Ingredients are inexpensive and readily available! "Recipes" are provided to make your own refills! Buy the starter kit, or save even more by dowloading just the "recipes", themselves!
Eco-friendly: Natural Ingredients, safer for septic systems!
Check them out under the category, Mother Nature's Best
http://hangingtreelodge.com/category.sc?categoryId=4

Disclaimer: Hanging Tree Lodge does not warrant and shall have no liability for information or starter products provided. Each person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Information provided is not intended as medical advice. Should you have any health -care related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider