I read a rather frightening post online tonight about Christmas Consumerism and how our spending is completely out of control! Guilty! Don’t get me wrong…I don’t spend LAVISHLY on my family and friends…but I most definitely OVERspend each year. I always have in mind what I want to spend for gifts, food, decorations, etc….and it never fails but that I always go over!
This year I am TRYING to do things a little differently. My daughter and I were talking on the phone recently about how stressful and expensive Christmas is and decided to make this year a “handmade” Christmas…at least for the most part. With 12 and 16 year old boys still at home…this isn’t going to fly completely. I will have to make a few concessions in the form of video games, etc. But, like I said, for the most part, this is what we are going to try and do.
And taking it one step further….we have decided that “doing” something for someone in the family is as much a gift (if not more!) than something wrapped up in paper with a pretty bow. So some of our gifts are going to be gifts of time/effort/SWEAT! :-) For example…I REALLY want to do a makeover on our “builders special” mirrors in our bathrooms like this one at TheHouseofSmiths.com. I just think it makes SUCH a difference and is a fairly easy do-it-yourself project with a lot of “bang for the buck”. So that is what I am asking “Santa” for this year. If I get it….it could possibly be one of the most fantastic Christmas presents I’ve ever received. :-)
I’ve titled this post Simple Handmade Gifts – Part One….because I have SO many of these I want to share…but feel like posting them all at once would be a bit much. So, since I know there are at least a few more such posts I will be making….I’m calling this Part One. Don’t worry…this is not going to be a day after day after day thing. Just when the mood strikes me. :-)
So here are the first 6 offerings for your gift-giving inspiration. I didn’t want to “label” any of them as “Teacher Gifts” or “Neighbor Gifts”, etc….but any of them would be great for those and all sorts of other people on your list and in your life.
DIY: Monogram Mugs at DesignMom.com
What I like: Anything monogrammed I think is fun and shows a personal touch. I’m also partial to mugs…especially WHITE mugs. :-) I love the font she’s used here for the letters….but you could use whatever strikes your fancy.
Cereal Box Notepads at InfarrantlyCreative.net
What I like: Two words come to mind…..fun and colorful! But beyond that there are some great possibilities with this one. First of all it’s a great tutorial on how to make a notepad…and with that knowledge you can take this idea in a lot of different directions. You could make the notepads and go a completely different direction for the covers.
More Ideas You'll Love
Or you could lose the covers altogether and just make the notepads. How about a custom notepad for teachers like the one here at 4 Crazy Kings? My guess is any teacher could use something like this!
glass tile pendants by TheIdeaRoom.net
This blog is quickly becoming one of my favs for DIY ideas! She’s got a MILLION (well it seems like a million anyway) of them! I guess her blog name is rather appropriate.
What I Like: These are so quick, easy and inexpensive to make…you could make them with abandon and not feel bad about giving gifts to everyone you know! :-)
Actually, I think this would be an ideal gift for girls to give to their friends. I remember as a girl making long lists of all my friends I needed to get Christmas presents for…and of course my Mom telling me that was preposterous. lol. It usually ended up being a lip gloss or a chocolate bar or something….but something like this would have been COOL! Once again, there are endless possibilities for changing up the look and even personalizing it for each giftee.
monogrammed hand sanitizer/soap bottles at TheIdeaRoom.net
What I Like: This is one of the first DIY gift ideas I ever pinned on Pinterest…and I like it as much today as I did then! It’s just a classic idea. Almost everyone uses liquid soap or hand sanitizer in a bottle (especially teachers! For good reason!). They are actually pretty cheap to buy….but I really hate the thought of throwing out a perfectly good plastic container. I really do. And this is SO much more attractive to have by your sink or on your desk than the ones you buy at the grocery store. AND it’s got the monogram thing going for it….which I always consider a plus.
Christmas {anytime} soap wrapper at Hiitsjen.com
More Ideas You'll Love
What I Like: This one is a little different…but that’s what I like about it. :-)
A lovely homemade bar of soap (or a pretty bar from the store) is a great gift all by itself…but wrap it up in these cute wrappers and you have something special!
These bars are dressed up for Christmas…but there are also some that are just pretty wrappers…perfect for any gifting occasion. Bonus: they are free to download and print!
And last but not least (for TODAY)…
fabric covered notebooks at BetweenTheLines.blogspot.com
- What I like:
Inexpensive – as in CHEAP! :-) - Broad appeal – Depending on the type of material you choose….these handy little notebooks could be well utilized by just about anyone! Male, female, young, old, etc etc.
- Multiple uses – journaling, doodling, note-taking, planning, etc.
I’m definitely going to make some of these (and set aside at least a couple for myself.)
And that’s enough for today….don’t want to send you into INSPIRATION OVERLOAD. It’s only December 5th! We’ve got PLENTY of time to do that! ;-)
In this particular process, any person close or of the family of the criminal
Please log in or create a free account to comment.defendant will contact a seasoned bail bond agent by the net, cell phone,
or a live in-person visit. The legislation is designed to protect the rights of persons
hurt working at sea. Apart from being a diligent lawyer, it is his impeccable work ethics that allowed him to resolve marriage procedure with ease.
Having read this I believed it was extremely informative.
I appreciate you finding the time and energy to put this informative article together.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I once again find myself spending way too much
time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
Superb, wat a website it is! This blog presents helpful information to
Please log in or create a free account to comment.us, keep it up.
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my
own blog and was curious what all is required to get
setup? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would
cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web smart so I’m not 100% positive.
Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It’s really a cool and useful piece of information. I’m satisfied that you shared this
Please log in or create a free account to comment.useful information with us. Please keep us informed like this.
Thanks for sharing.
A Greek chorus of historical figures, including Leonardo da Vinci and
Please log in or create a free account to comment.19th-century politician Giuseppe Garibaldi,
add rueful comment on the characters and their troubles while arguing
about Italy’s distressing current state of affairs. (The gears in the
camera that pulled the film through was technology borrowed
from clockwork. Now from these movies most of the people have been influenced in terms of
their work and opting education in their field of
interest.
If you are looking to buy a desktop PC for your home it is likely you will want it to perform a variety of tasks from basic
Please log in or create a free account to comment.things like sending emails and word processing to more complex tasks like downloading music and streaming video from the internet.
He, along with the other townspeople, watches the beautiful theater being demolished.
In some cases, surround sound is not possible in low frequency; however, it
is not the case with Panasonic SC-PT480EB-K.
Hey! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I
Please log in or create a free account to comment.genuinely enjoy reading through your articles. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that deal with the same
subjects? Thanks a ton!
One or more projectors are used to process programs.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The last thing you would want is to have your viewing dominated by an overlay
large screen. But Alfredo’s death has released him from this promise.
Hi, I check your blog on a regular basis. Your writing style is awesome, keep up the
Please log in or create a free account to comment.good work!
Very good article, all I needed to know is here!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Superb, this article has everything in detail.
Nice article, it was able to explain the idea of the subject
well.
Very nice read! Article was well written, covering important
parts of the subject.
Very good read, this article has most parts covered and explained.
The fact is that each and everything must be black and bright white as that
Please log in or create a free account to comment.the notion of the creation must be legibly drawn on a piece
of paper. Besides, you can also avoid the rush of
people in choosing the best of trinkets at local shops and unusual price
bargains- one can easily get the attractively unique fashion jewels at home at amazingly reasonable
prices compared to the conventional shops. that can offer you a great deal of
fashion tips for your special occasion.
No matter if some one searches for his essential thing, so he/she wishes to be available that in detail,
Please log in or create a free account to comment.so that thing is maintained over here.
Thank you for some other magnificent article.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Where else may just anybody get that type of information in such
an ideal method of writing? I’ve a presentation subsequent
week, and I am at the search for such information.
My family every time say that I am wasting my time here at net, but I know I am getting know-how all the time by reading such fastidious articles.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.An assignment to visit a bar, sample a beer, purchase a snack and check out the men’s cloakroom is
Please log in or create a free account to comment.not most women’s idea of a great shopping trip but getting paid
to carry out such an assignment will sound like a good deal to many men. (The gears in the camera
that pulled the film through was technology borrowed from clockwork.
Now from these movies most of the people have been influenced in terms of their work and opting
education in their field of interest.
Everything is very open with a clear explanation of
Please log in or create a free account to comment.the issues. It was definitely informative. Your
website is extremely helpful. Many thanks for sharing!
If you have a home theatre system or a pair of loudspeakers then you will want to get the best
Please log in or create a free account to comment.possible sound quality and maximum potential from your speaker system.
Actually, the cinema home systems subject is invaded
by different terms which describe the same thing.
9:30 pm Street Smarts: YAK Films’ Dance Then and Now – YAK Films is an international media production team whose work with urban dance began with the legendary Turf Feinz crew in Oakland, CA, innovators of the Turf dancing style.
That is really interesting,You are an excessively professional blogger.
I have joined your rss feed and sit up for looking for morde of your magnificent post.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Additionally, I have shared your web site in my social networks
If you want a smaller but higher quality picture then a Plasma
Please log in or create a free account to comment.TV would be a good option as these can be purchased at sizes up to 65 inches, and therefore still providing you with a big screen viewing experience.
The style of a well used movie theater can be carried out using the structural arranging
as part of your room. In some cases, surround sound is not possible in low frequency; however, it is not the case with Panasonic
SC-PT480EB-K.
The true filmaholic hears a song from the soundtrack
Please log in or create a free account to comment.and knows exactly where it comes in during the film.
He, along with the other townspeople, watches the beautiful theater
being demolished. This film continues a trend in fashionable CSI-CIA-crime
composing deficiencies in knowledge of the fundamental concepts of know-how
and that i guess it should not hassle lots of
individuals even so for me your entire plot appeared instead
forced.
Trying to make your ex lover jealous is one of the worst
Please log in or create a free account to comment.points you can do if you want to get back with your ex, considering that all
it is going to do is show him that you have moved on and that he must do the exact
same. Avoid obtaining dismayed if he is seeing somebody else, since you
won’t be able to stop it no issue what you attempt.
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your site.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to
create your theme? Superb work!
The match is offered in supreme 3D graphics and an awesome seven. Addiction is
Please log in or create a free account to comment.when you can not stop oneself acquiring away from it and you need
to have to do it a lot more and you crave it when it is not there.
Although intended mostly for young young ones, individuals of all ages have
located laptop video games very remarkable and entertaining.
I enjoy what you guys are usually up too. Such clever work
Please log in or create a free account to comment.and reporting! Keep up the excellent workks guys I’ve incorporated you guys to blogroll.