Two Christmases ago, my friends and I had a regifting exchange gift. Errr… or should I say we exchanged gifts that we haven’t used but think can be of use to others. I got two towels and liquid bath soaps. Yes, we’re still using the towels.

The idea of regifting is good (for me at least) IF and ONLY IF these few guidelines are observed:

• the gift itself has not been used
• the gifts don’t have torns and molds
• the gifts are put in an entirely new package (don’t ever give a present wrapped in Christmas wrappers during Valentine’s Day! No, no, no!)
• the gifts suit the giftee (give the urinary incontinence products to a grandaunt and not to the young niece or maybe a rap CD for an nephew and not for the uncle)
• the gifts are clean (or clean it yourself if it has been left to gather dust)
• the gift did not come from a manufacturer that has long ago closed it’s books (errr… outdated things like these scream regifts!!)

So, in this penny-pinching hard times, regifting is not really tacky, just do it with class and your gifts are as good as new

I’m done. Done with shopping and gift lists because I don’t plan to shop nor did I write a gift list. LOL.

Seriously, with my eyes closed, I can guess a lot of receivers of laptops, tablets and smartphones will be happy come Christmas day.

This being the first day of December means I gotta hurry up and do my round of frugal Christmas chores. That being said, expect me to wish you happiness and joy, without a gift tag

Of course, I get to eat what I bake and needless to say, I got four very satisfied family members who love to gobble up the goodies.

So is it any surprise that I look like I am in dire need of the best weight loss supplements?

Chocolate surprise cookies which were good especially when eaten warm. Great with coffee or milk.

My goal for frugal Christmas came true as I was able to do the plans I wanted to, including baking goodies to give to relatives and friends.

Here are some of the home-baked brownies that I baked before Christmas. We even had some baked to give to children out in the streets asking for something for Christmas.

There. I baked several batches.My kids of course love it. The batch I sent for me parents were gone in a flash according to my brother who managed to snag just one bar. To think it was just him and my parents living under one roof.

The nephews of my hubby who tasted it said “Parang brownies sa KFC”

I don’t know if that a compliment. Is it?