Save Money on Gift Wrapping!

Good job, Jaime! Is it for me? ;-)

This year I'm taking a different, more artistic approach to gift wrapping. I'd like to pack presents in an original, more creative way. It's not only about being cheap. I think that handmade and and recycled gift wraps are much more interesting! Michelle from Young and Free New Mexico blogged about a few good ideas: using the newspaper, brown packaging paper (which we can decorate ourselves) or putting a present in a shoebox.  My husband came up with a cool idea of using pictures cut out from magazines to personalize his gifts. In the picture above, he used regular wrapping paper, covered with tissue paper, foil and a picture of a belt he found in the paper. I'm thinking of reusing calendar pages, magazine posters ( I love maps- great for travel gifts) and some fabric. Other interesting ideas are  putting a ring inside of a walnut shell or placing a Christmas sock over a wine bottle. How do you wrap your gifts?

Nob Hill 'Park and Shop'

photo © Jaime Jordan 2008

Did you buy all the Christmas gifts yet? I am still thinking of what to get for my friends and family. I did enjoy the Shop Small Saturday and today we've got another chance to support local businesses. Shop in Nob Hill TODAY! All day Thursday, more than three dozen shops in Nob Hill are offering one day SALES! It's all in honor of  "Park and Shop". Parking is free through the month of December in Nob Hill so let's enjoy shopping while the weather is still good :-)

Win an Exclusive Dinner in Santa Fe!

photo courtesy of the Inn on the Alameda

Do you have a favorite Santa Fe Restaurant? Describe (in 30 words or less) why you like it so much and you could win a $200 gift certificate to enjoy a dinner there! The Restaurant Contest is sponsored by the Inn on the Alameda and we can enter on their Facebook page. The winner will be a person whose entry receives the most likes. One lucky voter will also receive a $100 gift certificate to a favorite Santa Fe dining spot. One entry per person is allowed . The contest ends on January 1st 2012 but don't wait if you want to win. Enter today and get your friends and family vote for you! As for Dec 13th, there are 21 entries and the number of likes to beat is 12. I like the idea of this contest and I would encourage you to try your luck. It's tempting to enter but it was just yesterday when I was asking everyone to vote for me! But I would love to be the lucky voter so please leave a comment if I can help :-)

Please VOTE for my entry!

Love you, Zo!

I entered the third week of the Thanks For The Meal Giveaway on Young & Free New Mexico. I wrote what I am thankful for this year :-) Please take a moment to vote for my entry to help me win! You can vote by clicking the Like button. The entrant with the most likes wins. Voting lasts until noon on Monday, December 12th. There will be one more week left to enter this giveaway so consider entering for the final round! If you enter, let us know!

Support Our Local Chorus !

photo courtesy of Albuquerque Civic Chorus

The Albuquerque Civic Chorus  is made up of about 80 men and women and will be performing holiday music, including Vivaldi's "Gloria" and "Twas the Night Before Christmas", at several venues around Albuquerque.

There are three upcoming performances:

Sun. 12/11 3:00 pm 

(joined by "Expressions of Joy" a newly formed chorus
for adults with developmental disabilities)

Asbury Methodist
Candelaria, E. of Eubank

Sat. 12/17 7:30 pm
First Christian Church
10101 Montgomery Blvd. NE

Sun. 12/18 3:00 pm
Immanuel Presbyterian
Carlisle and Central

In addition, they'll be singing carols tonight at the River of Lights, hosted by Albuquerque Biopark.

Admission is $10 (children 5 and under are free).

Please come out and support our local Albuquerque talent !

Free Doughnut Day at Krispy Kreme ABQ!

photo courtesy of Krispy Kreme ABQ

Krispy Kreme Albuquerque are celebrating their 2nd year anniversary all day today!  Stop by either of their locations (the one by the Cottonwood Mall on Ellison or the store on Wyoming Boulevard) to receive a FREE doughnut of your choice :-)  Have a sweet day everyone! Congrats Krispy Kreme and we are waiting for some cool contest from you ;)

Trace, thanks for joining the blog!

Win a Getaway for 5 to Angel Fire!

photo courtesy of New Mexico MarketPlace

Now, this is a giveaway I would love to win! I haven't been to Angel Fire yet but I heard it's gorgeous there! Plus all this snow! Go to New Mexico MarketPlace to enter for a chance to win a getaway for five people! Grand Prize Package includes three nights' lodging for 5, three days' lift tickets for 5 and three days ski/snowboard equipment rentals for 5. First Prize Package includes two nights' lodging for 2 and two days' lift tickets for 2. Three other winners will receive one pair of lift tickets. All prizes will be awarded by random drawing. You must be 18+ to enter. Deadline: December 16. Good luck and see you there ;)

Women's Lobo Basketball Tickets Giveaway!

photo courtesy of Baillio's

 If you are into basketball, you should always check Baillio's giveaways! This time our local Electronic and Appliance Specialists are giving away 4 tickets to the UNM Women's Lobo Basketball game on Saturday, December 10 at 2:00 pm (UNM versus UTEP). The prize includes a parking pass :-) Enter once a day on their Facebook page. Deadline to enter is December 8th at midnight. Look for extra entry chances with trivia questions! Go Lobos! I love this game :-)