So, Christmas is just around the corner. I'm going to be starting my shopping within the next month, and I'm looking for ideas from all of you!
I have some ideas already, but I'm always looking for more. I'm really trying to not bring more STUFF into our house. I'm fully aware that this is not even remotely possible, and we're going to be doing some things to combat the STUFF.
So here's what I'm looking to know:
1. What are you putting on your kids' Christmas wish lists?
2. Do you have any ideas to share that won't put more (or at least a lot more!) STUFF in my house?
3. Are you making any homemade gifts for your kids/family members/co-workers/etc.?
4. If so, what are you making? Please share any links if you have them.
***UPDATE***
Everyone is sharing such great ideas, and I wanted to share ours too!
-movie/popcorn/pop package for all of the kids. We do movie night here almost every Friday night. The girls rarely get to drink pop, so I thought it would be extremely fun for them to each get their own 12 pack of mini-pops, a big box of popcorn, and a movie. (One of my friends suggested this to me last year, and I loved the idea!)
-My mom and I just discussed the girls taking some cooking classes at our local candy shop.
-I told Josh that this year we're going to make pumpkin rolls for his adminitrative assistant and his boss. I'll post this recipe one of these days soon...yum-o.
Thanks everyone! :)
8 comments:
1/2) I don't have kids, but I always liked and will give my own kids (and Kevin and I give each other) things that are events and allow the family to spend time together and create memories and great photo opps (and allow for them--and you!-to look forward to and talk about). For example- lunch/dinner dates (give them adult like things such as food bucks- aka certificates- to McDonald's or other other fun kid places), day trips to a nearby city and explore things to do, local attractions- komets games, ice skating, museums, chicago trip on the train- fun! especially to navy pier where its ALL KINDS of amazing Christmas decor, movie nights in- pizza hut or papa johns certificates and a movie or movie rental or redbox with the free codes (so you don't have to buy) printed on a movie ticket template, etc. These all make great gifts that don't bring stuff in the house : )
3/4) I love making gifts! Photo books and collages (shutterfly, walgreens, walmart, etc) are fun and you can always find coupons. All of the sewing gifts you make are awesome and would make great gifts. Tie blankets are pretty cheap and something you and your girls could make together for people- and you get some quality tome together...or you and each girl could make one for each of your other girls and they can give to each other *made with love : ) Homemade cookie jars/other recipes in a container with directions and ready to go- soups, pasta mixes, pies, popcorn snacks, etc. I also love decorating candle vases with ribbon, beads/jewelry etc, and then fill with a yummy candle. And finally, you could also get some blank notecards, stickers/beads, stamping supplies and make thank you/happy birthday/thinking of you, etc. cards and envelopes and then put them in a decorative little box to give people so they have a nice little box of cards for those moments when the need to write one to someone : )
I LOVE LOVE LOVE personalized gifts and filling hearts with thoughts rather than money : ) I hope you find some inspiration from some of my thoughts/practices.
Heathyr,
I absolutely love your gift ideas! They are wonderful, especially for people who are hard to buy for and who don't (as Jackie puts it) need more STUFF in their house!
Thanks for sharing,
Jill (Jackie's sister)
You probably already use these ideas but, soo pass for the family, kid magazines, activity classes (swimming, gymnastics, etc.). @ Heathur, you had some great ideas. Hopefully more will come as I'm going to borrow them for my family!
Thank you ladies! Jill- I can usually end up making that stuff from all the stuff I have in my house, lol! CarrieAnn- I hope you do use them! : ) And yeh, I really really like magazine subscriptions too- the gift that keeps giving all year long! BTW, in case you don't know the free Redbox codes (my friend this weekend couldn't believe I've never paid for a redbox movie!)- a couple are BREAKROOM and DVDONME...there are many more too : )
Claire recently told me she'd like a scrap book. I know that puts something more in the house but at the same time, it may help to organize some of the papers/pictures she insists on keeping. It also will provide for some creative play time. I really like the suggestions for classes and/or trips to special places and events...Some other thoughts are wall decor for their rooms or some new bedding.
G'ma C
I actually just bought 5 families a gift from etsy...for $15 I got custom return address stamps! They are adorable in a circle shape with a monogram from the seller Asspocket Designs. Perfect since everyone recently moved or got married!
Rachel S
Jackie, I love your blog and have stolen several yummy recipe ideas from you!!
One thing I did as a Christmas gift for my co-workers one year was give them a frozen casserole that they could pull out of their freezer at any time for a quick meal. I'm all about practical gifts and for the busy moms of teens that I worked wtih, they absolutely loved this gift!
Kat
Well since you asked you get a big list for our family friends last year I made wordles that I printed at home and put on parchment paper went to good will and bought frames spruced them up so a practically free gift. . .Check out wordle.net it is free and great for our pastor I took his favorite scripture copied and pasted in into a wordle, for Cat's teacher I did the class list with her teacher's name in the middle and sent it to Staples to be printed on a mug and filled it with homemade hot chocolate mix. . .Family gifts we usually buy the zoo/museum/science museum pass from Dayton eventhough we never have been there they off a combo pass that no one else offers. We also give Cat a journal with the year on it bought blank book at dollar store cover it with scrap fabric and put stick on letters for the year, we then on New Years Eve create a year bucket list of 100 things she wants to do in the upcoming year. . .from personal accomplishments to family adventures and that is part of her Christmas gift she then journals and tapes momentos in from all her adventures, we have done this since she was 3 we dig them out each year so she can remember and come up with new ideas. This is something my parents always did for us as well. We usually replenish all her craft supplies and buy some new crafty ideas. We bought her sewing machine when she was six so she always needs 1.00 a yard fabric. For my cousins that live out of state they get a book of them month club, I have a box of books I get from the dollar store, yard sales, the book exchange or book orders ( I usually try to spend less than 1.00 each) I mail them their first book on the 18th of December media mail and they usually get them on the 23rd with a computer printed gift certificate that they get a book a month all year on the 25th of the month. For families we do a meal in a basket brownie mix, spaghetti, homemade canned sauce, parmessan and board game or cards. We always adopt a little girl's C s age and have her by gifts for them. We participate in toy trade where you take 2 gifts swap one and donate the other. I have more I will post later .. . Shanan~cousin of the famous Martha aka Jackie
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