Last Minute Holiday Tips & Year Round Gift Giving

I ran across something last year I had planned on using this year, but alas hubby took over wanted to be in charge of gift giving this year, so I let him.  I still want to share with all of you however, so happy reading and many, many, blessings to your and yours.

First Tip
For Next Year from Daily Generous Tips for Wives 
As you move through the holidays, take note of those things that work and don't work.  Write the info down and tuck it with your holiday items in storage for next year or tuck it in the holiday section of your household binder.  You won't likely remember next year what worked well and what didn't.  A few notes this year can save you a bit of hassle next year and keep your holidays meaningful and organized.

Organization is not an option, it is a fundamental survival skill ... Pam N. Woods.

Second Tip
Budget 101 is an AWESOME place to get some GREAT ideas for gifts, I ran across this printout last year (at bottom of page) and it is not just for Holiday giving, it can be used year round to make sure everyone gits the perfectly thoughtful gift.

Happy Gift Giving,
Valerie

Basic Cake Decorating

My friend Kathy Brodrock has a great how to video on Basic Cake Decorating. This would make a GREAT Christmas gift. If this is something you wanted to do for yourself or a young (or older) lady in your circle of family or friends but classes don't fit into your time or you budget, then this is the perfect solution. Watch the preview and then head on over and pick it up, order before December 24th and you get a free book to go with it!!!


Click here to view more details

Tea Towel Aprons

I recently discovered Cindy @ Skip to My Lou, and it was love at first site. She has a VAST wealth of goodies, crafts, and know how over there. Run on over and say hi, tell her how you found her. Today she posted a project I have been contemplating making, but I want to make matching crocheted top towels to coordinate. Cindy's post "How To Make A Simple Apron" is simply priceless. It looks very simple too, any novice sewer could make this one.

Some NEAT finds for a Crafty Christmas.

I have recently run across some pretty neat finds while sipping my morning coffee and wanted to pass them along. I hope to get started on a few projects soon, but being a 1 car family with a crazy schedule makes gathering supplies interesting at the very least. I'll try to keep updates on my progress.

Skip To My Lou is a crafty blog that I recently ran across and I fell in love with it. There is also a page full of free downloads-free is good.

For the rest of my new finds, check out the cool buttons at the right, click on them, say hi and tell them I sent you!!!

IT'S HERE, IT'S HERE, IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!!

OMG, I just got my hands on a copy of Leslie Valeska's new book

Giving Gifts From the Heart

and I am just beside myself with joy!!!!

I just finished reading through Leslie's book and I am so excited!!! It was everything I had hoped for and more. Having all these wonderful ideas in one place is going to save so much time. Leslie also shares her journey through a "scrooge" stage in her book, come on, who hasn't had one of those? Although this book comes out in time for Christmas, it is not just for Christmas gift giving, it can be used year round, and even better, there are ideas for hard to buy people in there too. She also shares many recipes for jar gifts, I am thinking about taking some of my unused Mason Jars and making up a few to have around here for when I am in a time crunch, you know gifting yourself!!!! That idea alone is worth the cost of the book, not to mention not having to spend time searching through all those bookmarked internet pages.

I had heard her talk about putting this together I think it was last Christmas. This is one I am going to not only back up on my flash drive (had a computer crash last year) I am printing this one out. I have seen several of the ideas in her book on the internet, and even have a few (25 at least) bookmarked, but I honestly cannot remember what is where, and it would take me all day to find the one I want. Leslie has taken the time to put all of those ideas in one place for us-God Bless her!!! Imagine, having all these wonderful tips and ideas all in one place AND right at your fingertips. You can even start making next years gifts right after this Christmas, hit the sales and get started, have a few made up and then you will never miss gift giving occasion. Also, if you are making gifts in a jar, NOW is the time to stock up on jars, canning season is over and some stores (if they still have them in stock) will be reducing them for a short time. Hit the scrap corner in your fabric store, invest in some zig-zag or decorative fabric scissors and make "fancy" covers for your jars.

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Just some of the ideas mentioned.....
Lots & Lots of Jar Gifts (again ALL in one convenient place)
Bath Salts & Body Scrubs
Gifts for men
Kids Crafts
Make your own bags.
And an extensive list of other ideas, like One of those home made Heat/Cold Therapy Pillows-My husband just bought me one made out of flannel with rice in it. I use it like the hot water bottles of old-warm it up and put it in the bed where my feet go, MMMMMMMM nothing like roasty-toasty toes in the winter.

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Having all of this all in one convenient place is priceless, as my time is valuable and searching the internet is a huge time sucker as I am sure you know. Act quickly and you may still be able to catch the discounted price. Get a copy for yourself and buy another for someone you know that loves to make home made gifts, (please remember sharing is not only illegal but also not the Christian thing to do).

Valerie