I said BUY a doormat, not BE a doormat!
I learned the hard way that a good doormat is essential if you want your carpets to look somewhat decent. I bought the best doormat I've ever owned at Target on Black Friday for 6 bucks. Normally, these sorts of doormats are around $20, and I am so cheap I can make a penny scream, so I snatched up the doormat immediately. The problem? It's a Christmas doormat.

Now, I am normally fanatical about taking down and putting every Christmas decoration away by January 1, but I couldn't bear to put this doormat away. It takes mud and funk off shoes like nobody's business, and I'm too cheap to pay $20 for a new, ugly doormat.
But I knew I had to buy a new doormat when my husband and I had this conversation:
Mr. Ivy: Hon, Christmas was over a couple of months ago...
Me: (distracted) Yep.
Mr. Ivy: (ripping his hair out) Our doormat's got SANTA on it!
Me: Okay, I've got a gift card to BB&B, I'll get us a new doormat.
So, off to Bed, Bath and Beyond we went, armed with my $25 gift card, where the doormat of our dreams awaited. It totally appeals to my inner curmudgeon. And at $14.99, it was a bargain!

Yet another example of Ivy's southern hospitality.
Tagged : doormat, outdoor, decor