An Old Family Gift Giving Rule

Have you ever been frustrated at trying to think of things to gift for the person who has everything?  Everyone has one person on their list that seems to have it all.  My family has integrated a rule that has eased the burden of this.

It's quite simple.  No one can purchase anything for themselves for an entire month before the big day - birthday, Christmas, graduation, whatever.  During this time frame, everyone keeps a sharp eye and ear on the intended recipient, and will not hesitate to stop them from purchasing something for themselves.  It is then relayed to the rest of the circle of family and friends that this is an item the recipient wishes to have.  Someone will purchase it and give it to them on the special day. 

This does a few things.  First, the recipient ends up receiving only items that they want.  Secondly, it saves the recipient money.  Thirdly, everyone feels good that they managed to give something that would be truly appreciated by the person who has everything.  Fourth, it saves everyone money as they are not purchasing unwanted, needless items.  Everyone ends up happy.

Give it a try in your own family.  Certain individuals may be a bit disgruntled at first, but when they discover how fun the reciprocation is they will also get into it.  My kids love the idea, and make it into a game over who is watching who as we go Christmas shopping. 

Make Leftovers Into Meals

One trick I have learned over the years to reduce grocery costs is to find items that make multiple meals.  Roasts can be a great deal when you get multiple meals out of them.  If you think about Thanksgiving, for example, and how many meals that one turkey provided, you get the idea of where I'm going with this.

Whole roaster chickens are good to stock up on when they go on sale.  A 6-8 pound bird can feed a family of 4 two dinners, at least.  Use the leftovers from the roast to make a second meal of hot open faced chicken sandwiches, or mix the meat with a package of frozen mixed vegetables and gravy to make a homemade chicken pie.

The same logic can be used with other meats as well.  The leftovers from a 3-5 pound pot roast can be made into hot open faced beef sandwiches.  Mix the meat with barbecue sauce and have barbecued beef.  Or you can cut the leftover meat into cubes, throw it in a pot with the leftover pot roast veggies (carrots, potatoes, etc.) add water to make a stew.

One favorite around my house is the pork roast.  Mix the leftovers with barbecue sauce for barbecued pulled pork sandwiches.  Or you can cube the meat, mix it with gravy, add veg, and make a pork pie.

You don't have to be a chef to make great tasting meals from leftovers.  All it takes is a little imagination.