{"259351":{"#nid":"259351","#data":{"type":"news","title":"15 Ways to Spread Holiday Cheer For Less Than $30","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe holidays are here, and so is the strain this season puts on our wallets. Here are 15 recipes, gifts, and events to get you in a festive mood without cleaning out your bank account.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEats and Treats\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMuffin, Cookie, and Cake Mixes (Less than $5): Liven up boxed mixes with this \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.food.com\/recipe\/basic-vanilla-frosting-140486\u0022\u003Ebasic vanilla frosting recipe.\u003C\/a\u003E Add food coloring and sprinkles and invite some friends over for a holiday-themed cookie decorating party.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.foodnetwork.com\/recipes\/paula-deen\/peppermint-bark-recipe-recipe\/index.html\u0022\u003EPeppermint Bark (Less than $10):\u003C\/a\u003E This classic winter recipe yields two pounds of candy\u2014more than enough to pass out to friends and family.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/soxandcandy.com\/2011\/12\/24\/last-minute-easy-peasy-festive-treat-rice-krispie-wreaths\/\u0022\u003ERice Krispie Treat Wreaths (Less than $10):\u003C\/a\u003E A single family-sized box of Rice Krispies can go a long way.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.thecookingphotographer.com\/2010\/12\/emergency-treats.html\u0022\u003ECandy-Coated Pretzel Sticks (Less than $15):\u003C\/a\u003E If you\u2019re in a bind and need a quick snack to take to a party, this fast, easy recipe is the perfect treat.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/momitforward.com\/dessert-recipe-peanut-butter-reindeer-cookies\u0022\u003EPeanut Butter Reindeer Cookies (Less than $15):\u003C\/a\u003E Adapt this fun recipe to your budget by using pre-packaged peanut butter cookie dough or a bagged cookie mix.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHandmade Decorations and Gifts\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.marthastewart.com\/276331\/how-to-make-paper-snowflakes\/@center\/1009041\/christmas-crafts-projects\u0022\u003EPaper Snowflakes (Less than $5):\u003C\/a\u003E You probably already have everything you need to make these whimsical decorations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/whatsurhomestory.com\/gilded-pine-cone-ornament-west-elm-knockoff\/\u0022\u003EPine Cone Tree Ornaments (Less than $5):\u003C\/a\u003E A little paint, a little glitter, and you\u2019ve got an inexpensive decoration or gift from your own backyard.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/spoonful.com\/crafts\/salt-dough-ornaments\u0022\u003ESalt Dough Ornaments (Less than $15):\u003C\/a\u003E They may look like delicious sugar cookies, but don\u2019t be fooled\u2014this is not a spoon your roommate is going to want to lick.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/justagirlandherblog.com\/yarn-wreath-tutorial\/\u0022\u003EYarn Wreaths (Less than $20):\u003C\/a\u003E A yarn wreath can add a festive glow to your dorm room and serve as a visual reminder that the holidays are right around the corner.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/hellonewlywedlife.blogspot.com\/2013\/07\/3-step-canvas-art-tutorial.html\u0022\u003ECanvas Art (Less than $30):\u003C\/a\u003E Like yarn wreaths, canvas art is a simple way to make a personalized gift for anyone. For this tutorial, substitute holiday-themed scrapbook paper or paint your own holiday message.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E(You can get more handmade inspirations at \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/studentcenter.gatech.edu\/crafts\/Pages\/default.aspx\u0022\u003EPaper and Clay\u003C\/a\u003E, the craft center located on the third floor of the Student Center.)\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEvents\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.carlos.emory.edu\/visit\/calendar#\/?i=1\u0022\u003ESanta\u2019s Favorite Christmas Music (Free):\u003C\/a\u003E Performance of holiday-themed chamber music at Emory University\u2019s Michael C. Carlos Museum.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/atlantaplanit.com\/events\/event.php?eid=54444\u0022\u003ELarry, Carols, and Mo! (Less than $5):\u003C\/a\u003E A chance to enjoy carols, \u201cA Christmas Story,\u201d and \u201cmo\u201d at the Fox Theatre on Dec. 9.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.marietta.com\/christmas-and-holiday-lights-at-life-university\u0022\u003ELife University\u2019s Lights of Life Display (Less than $10):\u003C\/a\u003E More than a million lights in a mile, depicting a Christmas tree, nativity, menorah, and animated displays. ($5\/car)\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.fernbankmuseum.org\/explore-exhibits\/special-exhibitions\/winter-wonderland\/\u0022\u003EWinter Wonderland at Fernbank (Less than $20):\u003C\/a\u003E Celebrate all winter observances and cultures at this Fernbank exhibit. Free with museum admission.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.dadsgarage.com\/shows\/season-19\/scripted\/ixc.aspx\u0022\u003EInvasion: Christmas Carol (Less than $25):\u003C\/a\u003E A twist on the classic, with plenty of adult humor injected, by the Dad\u2019s Garage theater company.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor more baking, decorating, and gifting ideas, search key words like \u201choliday baking\u201d or \u201choliday crafts\u201d on Pinterest. Want to give someone a handmade gift but don\u2019t have time to make anything? Check out the annual \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.ice-atlanta.com\/pop-up-shop\/\u0022\u003EICE Pop-Up Shop\u003C\/a\u003E in Candler Park before it closes on Dec. 30. \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/newscenter.gatech.edu\/2013\/12\/04\/celebrate-winter-without-breaking-bank\u0022\u003EConsult this article\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;for a list of other upcoming holiday-themed events you can enjoy with friends or family.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIdeas for keeping the strain off your wallet during the holiday season.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Ideas for keeping the strain off your wallet during the holiday season."}],"uid":"27841","created_gmt":"2013-12-06 11:24:05","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:15:29","author":"Lauren Spikes","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2013-12-09T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2013-12-09T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"259371":{"id":"259371","type":"image","title":"Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies","body":null,"created":"1449243977","gmt_created":"2015-12-04 15:46:17","changed":"1475894943","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:49:03","alt":"Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies","file":{"fid":"198315","name":"reindeer_cookies.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/reindeer_cookies_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/reindeer_cookies_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":234765,"path_740":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/reindeer_cookies_0.jpg?itok=_6ETGSbQ"}}},"media_ids":["259371"],"groups":[{"id":"1182","name":"General"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"2660","name":"events"},{"id":"81511","name":"Gift Ideas"},{"id":"81531","name":"Holiday Events"},{"id":"81521","name":"Holiday Treats"},{"id":"15356","name":"holidays"},{"id":"81541","name":"Upcoming Events"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:stucomm@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ELauren Spikes\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EInsitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["stucomm@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}