Hey, Sweet Things!
You know what I think would be such a blast? Let’s share ideas for gift giving! Reasonably priced. (Or the deal of the century???) Creative maybe. Or QUICK, definitely! Perhaps you could share your best “everybody/anybody” gift. In other words, have you stumbled on something this year (a CD, a book, a keepsake, etc.) that you’re giving lots of people on your list? Then, share the wealth! We could use some ideas around here. The thing I keep hearing from women is that they have a long list of loved ones and no earthly idea what to get them. I’m in that same boat with about a third of my list. Let’s get those creative juices flowing in Siestaville and help each other out over the next few weeks.
Let me give a little disclaimer as we get started. I’m not as up on all the Free Trade discussions and debates circling right now so I’ll need your mercy there and other Siestas might need it, too. Let’s trust each other’s hearts around here and assume that, if we suggest an item or a product that has a link to an unethical practice, we didn’t realize it. My thought this time around was just to give you an opportunity to share…
B.A.R.G.A.I.N.S!!!!!
Girl, I do LOVE me some bargains. If I had more time, I’d honestly wear the stores out for the ultimate sale but, as it is, I just have to happen on it when I can. When I score a great buy, I leave the store as giddy as a bandit.
I’ll get us started with a bargain and I could almost get too tickled to type because I got it for my own self. Sometimes when I’m Christmas shopping, I am at a total loss what to get that person I’m browsing for. I’ll happen on something and think to myself, “I wonder if _______________ would like that?” And I’ll ponder it and ponder it and turn it this way and turn it that way. Then, I’ll answer my own self with, “I have no idea whether she’d like it or not but I know who would! Me!” I know. It’s terrible. Superficial. Almost unforgivable. I only do it about every five or six gifts though.
My most recent bout was about ten days ago at Burlington Coat Factory (where I did actually find a few real, live gifts that I’m giving to someone beside me). I snagged a pair of these:
Price tag? (Drum roll please)
And I’ve already worn them, let’s see, about 6 times and I’m not exaggerating. Before they tear up, they’ll be out of style so I call that a DEAL, Girlfriend. I call that a deal!
Okay, Siestas, tell us what you’re finding out there. And for decent prices! Remember, we have every age group represented here so maybe it’s the ultimate children’s gift or something great for in-laws. Maybe it’s food like a snack of some kind you can put in a cute Christmas tin. If someone’s told you, “Hey, that’s a great idea!” then we want to know about it! Help some Siestas out!
You’re so much fun to do community with, you guys. I can’t wait to look at your ideas! This will be a really fun one I think.
I love you like a mad woman.
This is a great web site to make a cute purchase and help others.
http://globalmamas.org/default.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
What a great topic! Like many others, I gave a lot of “Jesus Calling” books last year, because it’s such a great devotional book. This year the women’s Bible study I’m in will be getting a bargain gift, because it’s what the budget demands. At Ross, I found this box of 50 cards and envelopes with 10 darling designs, 5 cards per design for $6.99. We have 10 women in our study, so I’ll tie up 5 cards and envelopes with a pretty bow to give to each one. I’m giving a funny but practical gift to several Florida family members: a Bug Zapping Racket. Each is $12 on Amazon, and if you lived in Florida, the earthy paradise for many insects, spiders, and roaches, you would know why this might be appreciated!
Florida Lizzie,
I read that every day also but from my email. I ordered it from Christian Book Distributors for $2 for a year subscription! Every day when I open my email, it’s ther to start my morning! Cheap and so speaks to me every day! Great gift idea!
I love these ideas. I, too, love the book Jesus Calling. I am reading it and just picked up a copy for a friend. A gift I have given my children and my husband that is always a hit is a coupon book. You can get as fancy or as plain as you would like. I put in stuff like a free pass for some mistake, a hug for no reason, a special time out with me, a batch of their favorite cookies, can call a game night etc. They love using them all year. My husband has one still in his wallet he has been carrying around since we were dating. That was over 21 years ago. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
It’s so much fun to read all your wonderful ideas for gifts! I have to agree that Shutterfly photo books and calendars are a treasure.
At Mardels Christian book store they have a lovely little book: Mary, DID YOU KNOW? BY Mark Lowery. It costs $5. It’s a gift book with beautiful pictures and scripture associated with this song. It also has a cd of the song, and I must confess, it warms my heart. It is one of my favorite Christmas songs. I’m giving it to everyone in our Bible Study. We love Beth Moore and Jesus [not in that order:)].
Merry Christmas to All!
Mary Kay Mint Bliss Foot Cream with Snuggly Socks – deal for $10. Every woman LOVES to pamper her feet after a long day, so it’s great for all my friends!
Spices! A jar of spice is a nice gift – no sizes or colors to worry about. Penzey’s is my all-time favorite spice store – they have a wonderful catalogue with recipes and “real life” stories as well as a great website. When we moved from St. Paul a few years ago, I was sad about a lot of things, and one of them was that I wouldn’t have a Penzey’s store within 15 minutes of home. Then this summer they opened a store in nearby Sarasota, Florida! It’s a bit more than 15 minutes away but worth the trip. There are ready-made gift boxes – or you can create your own. My friends and my grown kids have loved getting spices.
If you have children on your gift list and you have some that like music, good music, then go over to http://www.gofishguys.com. These guys are INCREDIBLE! “Music for kids that won’t drive their parents bonkers!” So in love with Jesus and kids. You buy the first CD for $15 and every CD after that is ONLY $5. AND there’s FREE FedEx ground shipping. Check ’em out. You’ll love ’em!
I have been doing a lot of shopping online this year. My favorite sites are Groupon and Living Social. I have purchased from Shari’s Berries which my dad loved. Purchased am apron for a dear friend from flirty aprons, can hardly wait to give it to her. I sent a link to her about a facial special then received an email from her husband saying he bought it for her. She never saw the email:) Absolutely am a Maxxinista. It’s bad when the employees know you by name!!
My girls are grown and out on their own. So for one Christmas my oldest lived far enough away she could only get home a few times year so for Christmas I printed off a calendar with all the families birthday and anniversaries then glued about 4-5″ of colored paper to the top. This is where I collaged pictures taken of the family thru the various seasons. I tried to match the pics with the seasons taken on the calendar. I added all kinds of sayings. On the month of their birthday I put Happy birthday well you get the idea. They loved it. It was a fairly inexpensive present. This year I bought blank calendars and just filled them in. You can put Bible verses or just words of encouragement.
Because of a very large family, and most of them would be here for Thanksgiving, we celebrated on Sat after Thanksgiving, and what a nice Christmas season I am having:) THe girls got a set of sheets, found at a farm show in Tulare, CA in Feb. 1000 thread count egyptian cotton, 19.99 all sizes and the boys got a fire safe box for important papers. 39.99 one of the kids said a needed Christmas. However, the night always ends with nerf guns or this year pop guns for finale:) Merry Christmas, all of you!
My mom as been on the hunt for gray boots. I’ll have to tell her about these!
No specific bargains to mention, but I heartily recommend online shopping – with the caveat that you NEED to make sure the site is reputable. (I just got my debit card # stolen…what a hassle!) Since I don’t have a lot of energy and hate crowds, I like to bookmark things that I think others will like throughout the year and then search for deals on that item or something similar during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Amazon is a great place for that.
My husband and I like to give big, fat candy canes to all the kids at church on Christmas Eve. That’s what good “aunties” and “uncles” do, right? Sugar them up and send them home? 😉
I adore those boots! That’s my kind of price! 🙂 And I need grey boots! I love that the heel’s not too high. 🙂
I often get things when we go on missions trips out of the country. I know our family members like getting things from where we go and they are things they can’t find here for themselves. Often the prices are very reasonable (except Europe) – so we stock up if we can.
I think my favorite find this year is earrings on Ebay. You just click the box that says “free shipping” and I”ve gotten some a-dorable earrings (usually sent from Korea) for under $4 for my girls’ christmas stockings.
Couldn’t resist sharing this one that I saw today for a S’mores kit that’s fun for the children to help with! http://www.southernplate.com/2008/11/smores-kits-great-gift-for-classmates-from-guest-bloggers-brady-katy.html
Hello Siestaville! This is one for little or big girls! It is through Good Morning America website and you must use their link and the code to get 50% off and free s/h by midnight 12/09. It is called Piggy Paint and it is non toxic nail polish and nail polish remover. It averages a little over $4 for a bottle. I don’t allow regular nail polish for my 10 year old and was very excited to find this today. I am sorry I didn’t see this post earlier in the day!
I was just talking about this with a friend! We both agree that ‘consummables’ are GREAT gifts. My mother-in-love makes amazing hot chocolate. So, we’ve had different members of our family, make a huge batch, put in cutely decorated mason jars for all of us to enjoy! Simple, easy and inexpensive. 🙂
I am absolutely in love with these little stuffed animals called “Cozy Hugs”. They are super soft plush critters filled with aromatherapy goodness that you can put in the microwave. They stay warm (not hot) for a long time and smell heavenly. My kiddos are each getting one. And I even asked my hubby to stick one in my stocking too 🙂 I found them at Fred Meyer (Kroger type store) for under $10.
I have to share this…. We have recently been privileged to have our first Charming Charlies in Greenville, SC. I went in recently and picked up a beautiful black & white necklace and earring set. I went up to pay for it and it rang up for $1.00….yes $1.00!!!!!!! It was normally $12.99. I told the lady “give me 5 more!”. She said they periodically mark things down and the stores may not know. What a blessing!!! Happy shopping and Merry Christmas.
I LOVE to shop. black Friday I was in lifeway and got the book “Heaven is for Real’ for $5.00. Then I went to Dillards and found the CUTEST dress for &189.99. Told myself I’d come back at the end of the season and if it was still there in my size it would be mine. BUT I went to Burlington Coat Factory and guess what I found?! The same dress for $39.99. Did I snap it up? You bet I did. But horrors! I was in there the next week and would you believe it? That dress was on sale for $29.99 and I had worn mine!!!!
I LOVE to shop. black Friday I was in lifeway and got the book “Heaven is for Real’ for $5.00. Then I went to Dillards and found the CUTEST dress for $189.99. Told myself I’d come back at the end of the season and if it was still there in my size it would be mine. BUT I went to Burlington Coat Factory and guess what I found?! The same dress for $39.99. Did I snap it up? You bet I did. But horrors! I was in there the next week and would you believe it? That dress was on sale for $29.99 and I had worn mine!!!!
One of my favorite finds is from a website called marley lilly. They have monogrammed pashminas and scarves. TOO cute- design your own! The only problem is that there are so many choices! The pashminas are $29.99 and the scarves are $19.99. I bought several but think I should give my husband the idea so that I get one too! 🙂
Check it out at http://www.marleylilly.com.
Actually, all through the year, I’ve been buying the little 3X5 note card spiral booklets from Walmart. I use a tape runner to attach some patterned cardstock or fancy paper on the front cover. I cut 2 small squares, 2 inch by 2 inch and 1 inch by 1 inch. I attach a sticky letter of the first name of the person that I am giving it to on the little square. I write a little paragraph on the first page encouraging the recipient to memorize God’s word. Then I write out some of my favorite scriptures promises on about half of the pages. I leave blank pages (cards)for their own favorite verses. I started doing this after joining the Siesta Sisters in learning the 24 verses per year. It involves some time commitment, but everyone who has received one in the past year is thrilled and is encouraged to “hide God’s word in their heart”.
I purchased a darling children’s book for $5 from Kohl’s entitled, On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman. There were a few other selections but this was my favorite! Got it for my grandson!
Ditto! on Sarah Young’s, Jesus Calling! Purchased it for my daughter before she ventured to China and she loved it! Also for my daughter-in-law who doesn’t really like to read! Short and sweet! incredibly inspiring book! Love, love it!
I also bought it for all of my girlfriends as I found a good deal on the soft covered book in Turquoise!
Merry merry Christmas! May you experience the marvelous peace of His presence this season!
I can hardly wait until January! Siesta Sisters, see you there! The four Sisters will be only two this year!
My sister-in-law is super resourceful and creative. One year she gave us a wrapped box with a sugar cookie mix, frosting, sprinkles, a festive oven mit and Christmas cookie cutters. My kids loved it and we got to make the cookies and take pictures to send. With the Dollar Tree and couponing at Walgreens, I think she spent well under $5 a box and it was fun and personal! She has also made my daughter gorgeous hair clips that cost less than $.30 each to make with fake flowers, hot glue, ribbon and metal clips. No, these are not my ideas…but we’ve really enjoyed them!
Justice Market at Copperfield Church, Hwy 6 in Copperfield area…tomorrow!n Right in your neighborhood Beth!
This looks like a great idea for unique gifts. At night they are having Robbie Seay band play…
Date: 12/10/11
Time: 01:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Ministry:
Missions
An afternoon of shopping with fair trade vendors. You will have an opportunity to shop, give joy, hope and freedom that outlast the season. We will offer a shopping area complete with live music, Christmas lights, refreshments, gift wrapping, raffles and all around market fun.
I’m in love with HOBBY LOBBY! I’m trying my hand at a few homemade/crafty-type gifts this year, but Hobby Lobby has tons of other options. They always have good sales and their home decor department is wonderful! I am a houseparent at a children’s home. I made something for the 2 girls in my house to hang in their rooms. But for my 3 boys I was stumped. My hubby and I went to Hobby Lobby and found these metal figurines that are made out of tool pieces (nuts and bolts, etc.). One of a skateboarder, one of a guitar player and one of a basketball player. They are great quality, heavy duty and won’t fall apart easily. Price tag? $5 each!!!! On sale half off-normally $10. It was a great find! The boys are going to love them and it didn’t break our tight Christmas budget! Because we are in a children’s home we have loads and loads of Christmas gifts donated for the kids, but we really wanted them to have one thing from us that let them know we love them and glad we can be with them right now. These were great finds. Happy Shopping!
I have two things to share: One I gave, and another that I received.
1) Last year I did a little internet research about the meaning of names. Then I created a quick document on my computer (I mean simple – just text) that had the name, then the meaning of the name, and then a bible verse that represented the characteristic described by the name. I then bought on-sale picture frames with pretty mats – and framed the name. Our boys (all adults now) loved them, so did my hubby and mom – not too hard and pretty cheap. Less than $10 each and treasured.
2) One of the best gifts I’ve received is a travelling coffee mug that you can put pictures in. My kids give me one occasionally, and I treasure them and have one with me everywhere I go (I LOVE coffee:D). This year when the kids asked me what I wanted – I said a new picture mug. The mugs run in the $10 – $15 range.
Merry Christmas and God’s amazing blessings to all!
Ok – so God has used this blog in lots of ways to bless my life, but WOW did He really use you all tonight! Between punjammies, smart screen gloves, survival straps and ipod nano watches – I am back in control of christmas! Seriously! I was praying this morning about what to get my husband and those last two I suggestions, knocked it out of the park! I’m so excited and SO grateful!
And I do have one thing I have bought a ton of this year – Eddie Bauer (stores or online) has down mitten ice scrapers. Your hand stays warm (and stylish!) while you scrape your car. Cute prints and masculine ones as well. $9.99 right now. Teacher gifts, baby sitters, college kids, etc. It’s a great gift.
one of the favorites my friends always want from me is my sausage balls: take 1 pound sausage, 1 pound grated cheese (I like Colby Jack) of your choice and 2 cups bisquick. roll in balls and bake for 10 min @ 350. put these in tins which I always seem to have lots of left overs of or can get at the dollar store. One batch makes a lot!!
Happy giving!!
Janie in Shawnee OK
This gift idea doesn’t cost anything and is priceless at the same time…woohoo!!! My children and I started writing love letters to each other when they were @ 7 & 8 1/2. This is a Christmas tradition(sometimes, birthdays too)in my family that continues to this day. My kids are now 23 1/2 & 25. I have watched them and their relationship with God grow in these letters. My love letters from my children are among my most treasured possessions on this earth.
By the way, this wasn’t my idea. Many, many years ago, Barbara Walters was interviewing Julia Roberts when she was at her peak of stardom. Barbara asked Julia what her most treasured possession was, without hesitation, she said her love letters from her Dad. He died when she was, I think @ 12. That was the moment the seed was planted in my lil brain!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!
*Any of the “Fresh” products (lotions and bath gels)
*Any fun lip gloss sets
AND I got them online at Neiman Marcus and right now they are offering free shipping and free gift wrap. Who doesn’t like a fun splurge treat wrapped in a Neiman’s box?
I bought bracelets for myself and BGFs from a booth at the Lifeway Women’s Forum in November. They are a delicate crystal cross, curved to lie horizonal on top of the wrist. They tied with a black silk cord. I have worn mine and love it.
Oh…one more thing.
*mouse pads from Shutterfly made with special pictures. Only 7.99. 🙂
*Moms can take photos of child’s artwork and use that to make mousepad, too
I have loved reading everyone’s suggestions and it has been so helpful. Just thought I’d add what I am doing this year. My husband who LOVES everything about Christmas was really struggling with getting in the spirit this year. When I had one of those years, he gave me presents throughout December and by Christmas Day, I was so much better and felt so loved. Well, I didn’t have time to go shopping for him, so instead I decided to write him a note each day starting December 1 of why I was looking forward to spending Christmas with him this year. I got some Christmas note paper and it has already blessed us both.
Hi yall,
I don’t know if this would be considered a bargain, but I think it’s too cute! We have a local ceramic shop, so I picked out 2 cookie jars for our great-grandmas($30 each). We will personalize them with the great-grands handprints (as if they have been sneaking cookies with dirty hands)and then put their names and the date. Probably also put “Grandma’s treats” or “Who stole the cookie…”
You can choose whatever colors you want… I am using a speckled sand color with brown handprints.(dirty hands, get it?!)
Then they will be glazed, refired, and great-grandma will have a daily reminder of her sweeties!
Merry Christmas!
Carol
Both my parents and their spouses live far away, which means I’d have to ship their gifts. Plus, just like the rest of us, they all have everything they already want or need anyway. I’m calling a florist to have a Christmas centerpieces delivered December 23rd so that it’s there for their Christmas dinner. Did this one year before and they all enjoyed it. My dad even went so far as to say it felt like we were able to be present in some way at their Christmas dinner : ) Not sure about that one, but hey, as long as he likes it!
My in-laws took our family to Disney this past October so for christmas we found a digital picture frame and are loading our pictures from the trip of their grandchildren and then they can load their own pictures when they get it. I love the personal calendars too with family pictures.
My 14 year old niece LOVES socks – bright colored, crazy, sometimes they don’t even match socks. I love to support small businesses, so when I found Stance Socks I was thrilled. http://www.stance.com/ She gets crazy gorgeous socks and i get to support a small business.
For years, I would give my children’s teachers a photo ornament and a handwritten thank you note. I’ve also given them to friends, grandparents, small group members and made extra for our tree.
To make the ornaments:
1. Buy the clear glass ornaments from a craft shop (Hobby Lobby, Michaels, etc.) 2. Make circles from paper (takes a bit of trial and error to get the right size) that fit inside the ornament. 3. Go to an office supply store that makes copies. Take in a photo you have shot (important because of copyright) and ask them to run it on a clear transparency sheet, showing them the size needed. 4. Cut out the photo transparency using the paper circles as a guide. 5. Carefully roll the photo onto a pencil and place inside the ornament. Sometimes you’ll need to rearrange it slightly using tweezers. 6. Using a paint pen write the year at the top on one side and the child’s name on the other. 7. Thread red or green ribbon through the hole and tie.
A great and meaningful gift for children is a Blessing Bank. This beautiful keepsake gift helps parents, grandparents and friends teach children the joy and blessing of giving to others and the concept of tithing, Acts 20:35. The Blessing Bank comes gift wrapped with a beautiful enclosure card ready for giving to your special child. This also makes a wonderful gift for a new baby, baptism, birthday, graduation or wedding. The Blessing Banks (and Blessing Bags) are available at http://www.blessingbanks.com. This is a wonderful way to share the joy of Christmas!
My husband and i Love to walk on our Pensacola Beaches!!
We scan the sand for small sand dollars as we walk,,,they are FREE…..These make beautiful ornaments,just have to put on the hook,and there you go!!
I also like to give flash lights ,,,book lights,hat clip lights,key chain,various styles and sizes from children to adults…
God Bless You all this Holiday with His Presence!!
Terrie
What a great idea Beth!! And great deal on some cute boots!!
What I struggle with is what to give people at work…last year I made bows that could be door hangers or ornaments…got some ribbon from Hobby Lobby, bells & greens, pipe cleaners & used the glue gun to put it all together. Folks seemed to like them. (Found some youtube directions on making easy bows – using the kind of ribbon that has wire worked best.)
Another idea is folding paper into diamonds, gluing together & gluing pretty covered boards onto the ends to create little books that could be used for pictures. Adding some picture holders on the pages could be good too.
(Loving that book, “Jesus Calling” also!!!)
May you all be blessed this Christmas season! ♥ Barb
I just have to share with you what happen! I was at the Hallmark store in the mall and this precious, little red haired girl who looked about 4 years old reached out with both hands and while looking up at me with those begging eyes wanted me to pick her up. I reached down and gave her a big hug. She said, “up”, but I told she would have to ask her dad first and held her little hand for a minute. Her dad just told her something and turned back around again. I had tears in my eyes. She was probably tired of shopping, but all I could do was pray for her. I told her to have a “Merry Christmas” as they left.
…a little child shall lead them. Give your children a hug today and tell them you love them.
Captain Rodney’s Boucan Glaze is the bomb. It’s $15 a bottle with the best appetizer recipe ever. You can google it and order online or find it in specialty shops. Every time I fix it, everyone wants the recipe.
Hey, Siestas!
Merry Christmas to all of you! I love finding a good bargain and love gift giving, so it’s great when I can find something that is less expensive than usual…lots of family and friends that I want to give gifts to this year!
I found a great deal at the Dollar Store, of all places – really cute Christmas tins with lids and handles for $0.50 each. I bought twenty or so of them and will be giving them to all of my camp family (I work at a Christian camp and like to give a small gift to all the full-time staff and their families) filled with white chocolate snack mix (which we call White Trash – recipe below). The tins aren’t huge; probably hold about 3-4 cups of the mix each, so they’re a great size for a small gift.
Another great gift idea (that’s a little more pricey, but worth it) is Scentsy. Scentsy sells warmers for wick-less candle wax. I gave one to all of the women in my life last year for Christmas and they all liked them so much, that I got them all another one for this Christmas. There’s a good deal online if you buy multiple warmers and there’s over 100 different scents for the wax. I’ve bought probably 20 different scents over the past year and haven’t received one yet that I didn’t like. The large warmers and one scent bar runs about $50, so definitely a little more pricey, but they work really well, the scent wax lasts a long time, and they make your whole house smell incredible! I found another brand of the warmers at Wal-Mart for a little bit cheaper, but the scents weren’t as good and the warmers weren’t as pretty.
White Trash (a.k.a. White Chocolate Snack Mix)
5 cups Cheerios cereal
4 cups mini pretzel twists (or a medium sized bag)
5 cups corn/wheat/rice Chex cereal
2-4 cups M&Ms (I add a lot of M&Ms because I like chocolate!)
2 cups dry roasted peanuts
1 package vanilla (white chocolate) almond bark
Lightly grease 2-3 large cookie sheets.
In a large bowl (really large – like huge!), mix cereals, pretzels, M&Ms, and peanuts. Melt almond bark following the package directions until smooth. Pour over cereal mixture and quickly toss to coat all ingredients completely. Spread onto prepared cookie sheets and let cool/dry/harden. Break into pieces and enjoy!
I’m a consultant for an amazing company called Blessings Unlimited which is a division of Dayspring. We carry a line of home decor and gift items that are faith inspired. There are tons of unique, beautiful and affordable gifts on my website http://www.myblessingsunlimited.net/crystalmerritt Also, all profits from my web sales go to a foundation called Bryson’s FUEL (Friends United to End Leukemia) which helps families whose children have been diagnosed with serious illnesses such as leukemia or cancer. Any orders placed before Dec. 14th will be delivered before Christmas. Thank you and Merry Christmas!
I found Yankee Candles which have the most wonderful fragrances like maple, pancakes, sugar cookies, etc. My Dad absolutely loves them at Christmastime and throughout the year. In Newport Beach, California they can be $25 or $30 and then I found them at Ross for $9.99! They are also great gifts for couples too or to have just in case you forgot someone and need some extra “just-in-case” gifts.
I bought my friends necklaces sold through Amazima Ministries. They are made by women in Uganda. Katie Davis is the founder. She lives in Uganda and has adopted 15 Ugandan orphans. She has enabled many women to support their families through making and selling their necklaces.. Some of you may have read her book KISSES FROM KATIE. You can read about the ministry at http://www.amazima.org.
Oh, great idea, Beth!! This year is a bit tight for us, like many others, so creativity is called for! I’m going to be sewing/crafting a lot of things, but I have 2 ideas I have to share! I needed ornaments to gift for a Christmas party. At the last minute I headed to a Hallmark store only to find it closed. Right next door was a Cracker Barrel, and I thought, why not? I found BEAUTIFUL ornaments for half-off!! I have some other gifts I need this weekend and I’m going back there!
Thanks for bearing with me while I share this other one. In the last few years my husband and I have learned to be more intentional about parenting. We’ve talked about having a family creed or mission statement, and have started writing one. I’m going to have it done up beautifully and framed for him – shhhh! Don’t tell!
Blessings to all my siestas this Christmas season!
Some ideas for neighbors/teachers/randoms:
IF you’re in a climate that gets at least a couple inches of snow a year, a snowman kit makes a fun family gift. Did this once for the neighbors years ago and I still see the ‘props’ come out each year. You can buy them pre-fab or have some fun at a second-hand store and make your own kit for far less money.
Share a tradition: we do a birthday cake for Jesus so I decided to give my neighbors (with fear and trembling… I was really nervous about this and asked permission from one so as not to be shoving Jesus down their gullets) a Birthday Cake for Jesus Kit. It was a CHEAP bowl, a whisk, a single birthday candle and a ziploc bag filled with cake mix and instructions. I may have splurged and included a container of frosting. All tied with a pretty red bow. Two families still tell me about how they now sing happy birthday to Jesus after their christmas meal.
This is a GREAT book with fun and meaningful ideas: Putting God back in the Holidays by Bill Thrasher. This guy has ideas for just about every Hallmark event. I glance through it and choose maybe one idea out of 10 of his, but I feel equipped and that is good. I gave this to EVERY.BODY. last year.
I love doing donations to wonderful organizations like ASOUROWN.org and then just using a $1 angel ornament tied to a note card saying their ‘gift’ helped a precious angel in India or something like that. People are genuinely thrilled that they don’t have more stuff or additional calories and are part of real solutions for girls who need help. And, BONUS, the ornament is a visual reminder every year of those same girls.
Even as I wrote that last one I thought of all the cookies we’re making… can’t go wrong there. Idea on that: buy a PLAIN white box at your local craft or candy store… or use a brown bag if you have nothing else… and let the kids decorate it with cut-out snowflakes like we made as kids! We use red and green construction paper for the snow flakes on our white boxes and the kids LOVE this part of our cookie-giving tradition. CHEAP, handmade and loads of fun.
So I just typed this long list but never posted my last scripture for SSMT 🙁 Nor did I tell Lindsey how powerful her last post was. L – I was one of those young ladies in college who had never had a boyfriend and had never heard the lovey words… and began to believe the lie that it must mean I was unlovable. Your post literally was an eye-opening “a-Ha!” for me. THANK YOU for sharing it. I hope many young ladies are reading and allowing the Lord Jesus to speak TRUTH into their minds and hearts. My goodness, how beloved you are!!!
The boots ROCK, Momma Beth. And so do you! LOVE YOU SIESTAS!
My wonderful boyfriend loves the boston bruins hockey team. This is our first christmas as a couple and i have been anxious about getting him the “perfect” gift(s)…you know…so that he KNOWS what a thoughtful and wonderful girl i am…grin!
He is a hockey player with a passion for the Bruins…I found this clear candy jar on NHL.com with his fav team’s logo on it and get this…his name on it too! The best part is that i am going to fill it with gumballs, as he gets a gumball out of the machine every time we pass one by. He’s adorable and I thank God for him every day =)