While citrus may not be viewed as something “Christmas-y” (though, some people do put oranges in stockings), it’s in season and there is so much you can do with this pretty fruit. From cleaning supplies to seasonings, there are lot of DIY gift potential.
Tutorial links after the jump!
Who loves free printables?! I have searched for and scanned through, hundreds of free holiday gift tags and label printables. Although this list is HUGE, I didn’t even include all of them!
No matter what you use as gift wrapping, there is a gift tag here that will go great. I love the little woodland creatures and vintage-inspired tags. Which ones are your favorite? Oh, and did I mention they are all FREE? Plus, they are super easy to download and print!
Have you found any great Christmas gift tags this year?
Now the hardest part is deciding which gift tags to use!
DIY canvas photos are quite popular right now. There are lots of tutorials online ranging from really easy, to a bit more difficult. I’ve compiled a list of the most common tutorials so that you can give it a try! Whether you are trying to save money, make memorable gifts, do something heartfelt, or fill your empty walls, this is a great project!
Canvas packs at Michaels are $19.99 for TEN 8×10′s! They also go on sale for 40-50% off. Thats $1-2 for each canvas. Printing at Costco is also very inexpensive. Below is a price list, but 8×10′s are only $1.49.
Below are several different tutorials on how to make your own canvas pictures. I’m sure you can find one that suits your needs!
*If Pinterest gave you a warning when you clicked on the 50+ stocking stuffer ideas, it’s because the link redirected you here. If you clicked on this direct link and Pinterest still gave you a warning, let me know.
This is a revamp of my previous post, 50+ Stocking Stuffers for Men. So many people left such great comments and ideas that I thought I would condense them all here so they are easier to read through. There are still some great traditions in the comments if you want to have more ideas.
These small gift ideas are perfect for stocking stuffers, but also for Easter baskets and gift bags too. Most of the ideas on here range from $1-$10.
Looking for Ideas for the Kids? Click HERE!
I love Christmas. I love getting together with all my crazy family, baking too many sweets, and getting presents for all my loved ones. Every year, however, I think about how much stuff we buy for each other that has no sentimental value and will probably be forgotten before next Christmas has come around and that makes me kind of sad. Why waste so much money on things we don’t need and may only temporarily enjoy? Is the materialistic part of Christmas that important?
I had a wonderful Christmas this year, but next year I plan on doing things a little differently. With plans to buy a house and a baby on the way, we will probably be pinching more pennies than we are right now. Plus, it gets tiring buying gifts for those family members that have everything and can buy themselves whatever their heart may desire. I find it so much more enjoyable to buy gifts for those who don’t get to indulge, those who may not be able to afford those new shoes, and those who enjoy homemade gifts because the know it’s from the heart.
I have a whole year to plan for Christmas 2012 (in baby steps!) and I think I have an idea of what to give to those family members that have everything (and incidentally, tend not to be crafty and don’t appreciate handmade gifts as much).
Instead of spending money on fancy wine or other gifts for those with a bit more expensive tastes, I want to focus on family.
The plan: My goal is to take more pictures of family gatherings and turn it into gifts, whether it be in the form of photo books, agendas, calenders, or some other personalized item. It also makes it easier that we are expecting the first grandbaby on both sides and grandparents love baby pictures! Hello baby picture ornaments.
Anyone else thinking about more personalized gift giving?
And the winner goes to Jess! Thanks for all who participated – new contest coming up tomorrow!
Jess- email me (theliefoflulubelle(at)gmail.com) your address and email so Elk River Naturals can send you the prize!
Today’s post comes from Jamie Quin, the owner of Elk River Naturals. I am pleased to have her stop by my blog AND offer a great giveaway!
If you are anything like me, the holiday season brings a confusing mix of feelings somewhere between pure joy and self loathing guilt. This is surely a time when one should reflect on family, life and love and whatever this season means to you personally, but is it wrong that I can’t help but feel a little bit guilty about the waste that comes along with this season? During the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, 25% more waste is produced than at any other time of the year. Millions of pounds of wrapping paper, bows, cards, boxes, junk mail and other items ultimately end up in landfills. Christmas can not only take a toll on a person – with gift buying pressure, money worries, navigating through traffic and crowding looking for that perfect gift – but it also takes a toll on the environment. In order to make yourself and those on your Christmas list happy this season, look over these creative examples of how to gift, decorate and dispose green!
TEN DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS. Holy Moly. My list of things to do seems longer now than it did a week ago!
Our Christmas decorations have been up for a couple of weeks now, but I’m still missing a centerpiece for the table (I’m also hosting Christmas Breakfast at my house). Here are some easy centerpieces that still look elegant and festive.
Supplies you may need:
I love wrapping paper. I bought two rolls of it on clearance last year after Christmas, but there is just so much pretty paper I bought more this year as well. Whoops.
Here are some cute ways to wrap your gifts – other than the typical colored wrapping paper, shiny curling ribbon, and those bows that never stay stuck on.
Plain glass ornaments can be found at Hell-mart Wal-mart or other craft supply stores. They are generally pretty cheap for a pack of 6 and can be decorated in lots of different fun ways for almost all ages!
You don't have to be an artist to paint glass ornaments
I’m becoming kind of a toy snob. I searched around quite a bit for an appropriate and safe toy for my adorable Godchild, Addison, who will be just shy of 1 years old come Christmas. I wanted to stay away from plastic and be as earth and baby friendly as possible.
I came across Dandelion’s Organic, Little House Shape Sorter.
Although I am not a huge fan of pastels, and I think that if they went with bright colors this could be better suited for both genders, I think this will be a great gift for Addison.
Dandelion House Shape Sorter about to get wrapped for my Godchild!
You can purchase this toy from Dandelion’s site . I bought mine from Amazon.
