Christmas is Coming!!!

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Christmas is Coming!!!
« on: October 17, 2006, 10:15:55 PM » by lovetolearn

Christmas will soon be upon us Shocked

and I was thinking that since a good majority of us are concerned with frugal living, the true celebration of what Christmas is (rather than the commercialization of it), healthy/natural living, and the likes -what if we helped eachother with gift ideas and share meaningful traditions we may have that others might like to incorporate into their celebration. Cheesy

To get the ball rolling, I was thinking of figuring out how to make a scent-away (as in eliminates the scent of being a human all together) laundry soap and bar soap for the hunter-men in my life. I was also thinking of making the citrus massage oil (found at Shoshannagardens.com) for the young marrieds in our fam. Now it's your turn! I look forward to hearing everyone's thoughts!!! Grin

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #1 on: October 17, 2006, 10:18:57 PM » by Nickole

We are making vanilla with the beans I bought from the guy on this site! And probably candles, and I don't know what else. We think of 3-4 things per couple/family (extended family) and mass produce. Would love to hear more ideas!

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #2 on: October 17, 2006, 10:34:44 PM » by wyomama3

I was just thinking about Christmas today. We are getting our first measurable snow fall - tis the season! I am also making our gifts this year- miracle rub, salve, etc.

Lovetolearn: If you figure out a way to make the scent-away PLEASE pass it on! My husband would love it, and hey...I might even get a foot rub, or something, out of the deal. Grin

But if it involves the stinky cow elk smell "stuff" then I will have to forego the foot rub. Tongue

What a good idea you have- what a wife!

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #3 on: October 17, 2006, 10:39:36 PM » by SC

I haven't started thinking about gifts too much yet (yikes!), but I did do one thing last year that I think I'll repeat. I asked for a jigsaw. No, not a puzzle, but an electric power tool.

This has allowed me to cut pieces of wood into shapes and make improvements and repairs around the house using scrap wood without having to buy stuff. I made a pattern from a spice rack and duplicated it to double my storage (like tracing a dress pattern). I made braces to hold a shelf over my kitchen counter to create breakfast bar seating. I cut molding to fit around a stainless steel plate I mounted in the kids' room as a magnet board. It is WONDERFUL.

It didn't cost much, but it has yielded nice returns. I haven't thought of what to ask for this year, but I'm sure that I will want some sort of tool to make life a little easier.

I know, I'm weird.

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #4 on: October 17, 2006, 11:51:43 PM » by healthybratt

Scavanger Hunt in a Bottle

Last year (or maybe 2 years ago) we bought a case of Gatorade singles. Hubby drank them all and I took the empties and peeled and cleaned them. Then I filled them with bird seed mix (the more variety and the smaller the better). Then I filled them with about 20 very small items. Then I made a list and rubber cemented the list on the bottom of the bottle and rubber cemented the lid on and gave one to every family. Make sure you leave about an inch above the bird seed or more or there's no room to move the seed around to look for the items.

The list was

Push Pin, pin, b*b, nail, bell, ring, dime, staple, button, penny, match, eyeball, pop tab, red bead, toothpick, paperclip, safety pin, oval pearl, gemstone, red thread, white cube, round pearl, green bead, Christmas Card, Name Tag

For the pearls, the gemstone, and the white cube I just broke apart some old costume jewelry I had laying around.

The red and green beads were the kind that you make key chains and stuff out of (about 1/4 inch and plastic).

The eyeballs were the flat kind with the little black dots in them that move around. I got them in the craft section at Walmart.

I also purchased buttons, pins, pushpins, paperclips and safety pins and the plastic rings (also from sewing dept) and I don't think with everything includedwe spent more than $20 and we made 24 of these.

These were a huge success. I got the idea from someone else (no credit here), but we were entranced by one we saw in the doc's office and decided "we can make these too".

Christmas Card & Name Tag (for these, I made a spread sheet and made the lines visible to print. They were about 1/2 inch long and 1/4 inch tall. For each name tag I typed the last name of the family on both sides of the card and for the Christmas Card, I just wrote Christmas on one side and the year on the other. For a two sided card I just typed Christmas in one cell and typed the year in the cell directly under it (or the name in both cells). Then I cut the cells out and folded them. Then I used some clear mailing tape and laminated these tiny cards with about 3 layers on each side and then trimmed with some edge remaining and threw these in the mix. Once completed the cards were just a hair smaller than a paper clip and the name tags were a hit because it personalized the gifts. I did make a few extras without the names so I good give them to people I "forgot" or didn't plan for.)

I found my labels and cards (completely formated with cutout lines and such) but wasn't able to attach them, but if you're interested, send me an email and I'll email them to you.

« Last Edit: October 18, 2006, 12:05:23 AM by healthybratt »
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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #5 on: October 18, 2006, 05:06:29 AM » by Boots

I like the birdseed bottle idea, Healthybratt. I have seen this done with white rice, and little white trinkets. It was encased in a sheet of clear vinyl, sewn closed so it was a flat little pillow. I think the birdseed would make the search just a bit more tricky and fun.

I have decided to give every family on our list 72-hour disaster preparation kits! I'm going to make my own to keep costs down, or you can buy some ready made from the RedCross. If I can find an inexpensive source of those hand-crank flashlights, that may be a possible gift for the teens in the family. Little kids are getting ant farms.

I think. Retooling the budget here : )

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #6 on: October 18, 2006, 05:10:41 AM » by Boots

oh...and the post above about a jigsaw made me remember one year, when money was REALLY tight, I considered making "puzzlers" (you can find a similar plan at organizedchristmas.com ) basically, a large piece of flannel on which you can work jigsaw puzzles, and roll it up to keep the loose pieces you haven't fit in yet safe if you need to transport the puzzle.

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #7 on: October 18, 2006, 06:48:21 AM » by Nickole

Quote from: Boots on October 18, 2006, 05:10:41 AM

That's a great idea b/c we bought one of those years ago and they were not cheap. I can't imagine not having one. I did notice they looked so easy to make.

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #8 on: October 18, 2006, 08:22:44 AM » by WithLoveAndJoy

Our great Christmas gift idea for this year is one that I think works well for any adults in your family.

Go to Sears or JcPenney and get a family portrait taken. Then give framed family portraits to your adult family members. I can think of very few situations in which this would not be well received. And it should be relatively inexpensive if you buy a package and moderately priced frames.

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #9 on: October 18, 2006, 09:31:02 AM » by Pennie

We do the family portrait quite often. For the last two years though we did do coffee cups and ties. That isn't creative but for my folks they are missionaries so we need small not heavy things for them and my husbands dad lives 1/2 way across the country and they both basically have everything, so pictures are nice. In fact that is what we are doing this year. As for our immediate family, this yr no toys for the kids we are just going to buy things we need like clothes and shoes. My kids like getting that stuff so they will still be happy.

Oh, the ties and coffee cups have the kids pics on them.

« Last Edit: October 18, 2006, 09:37:53 AM by Pennie »
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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #10 on: October 18, 2006, 09:34:17 AM » by nursegirl

Here is my plan:

For the families we give to, I am going to get our kid's pictures taken and nicely framed and give one to each family. I am also going to make a "Family Movie Night" basket. I'll include munchies; caramel corn, fudge, cookies, and Swedish Pecans, as well as a family movie. Over The Hedge just came out--I saw this in the theater and it's so cute! Making the snacks is pretty cheap, especially since most baking supplies go on sale about this time of year. You can often find good deals on just-released movies. For example, if you buy Over The Hedge this week at Toys 'r Us, you get a $5 gift card. For the pictures, I'm always finding coupons in the paper for JCPenney's--$3.99 for each sheet of pictures, a free 8x10, and no sitting fee.

Can't wait to hear other ideas!

Sarah

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #11 on: October 18, 2006, 09:39:39 AM » by Pennie

Quote from: nursegirl on October 18, 2006, 09:34:17 AM

Oh, I think I am going to do this!! Or you could even do a game instead of a movies!! Great idea! Thanks. It's hard to find individual gifts for kids too I think so this would be great.

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #12 on: October 18, 2006, 10:03:31 AM » by ShabbyChic

I wanted to make soap for everyone, but am having some issues with making it (no scale, is lye bad?, etc,) so I thought I'd make yam cream for the ladies but that could be taken the wrong way... "Hey, heard you're hormonal, here, do us all a favor and slather yourself in this stuff..."

Every year for the past 5 years we've been married I've wanted to make a donation to our foreign mission board in our families' names. Not sure how that would be received either as there is nothing to open and our extended family is all Christian but not in missions-sending churches. We'll probably resort to the standard: something knitted or scented for the ladies, home made jerky or dried fruit dipped in chocolate for the guys, and pictures of my kids for the grandparents and the older Aunts who have everything.

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #13 on: October 18, 2006, 10:11:52 AM » by KeepItSimple

Hi...

No idea what we are doing this year for gifts... making something sounds like a fun idea. For the people in town (small town here remember), we make cookies and deliver them. Oh oh - CHRISTMAS COOKIE RECIPES!!! Please send me an email with your favorite! (and post here for others). This year we thought of delivering the cookies by caroling. We'll see.

For our kids we limit the gifts they get to 3 each. Every year we try to do something for Advent. There are some great books out you can read each night during the Advent season. The first one is 'Jotham's Journey'. There are 2 more I believe they are 'Bartholomew's Passage' and 'Tabitha's Travels' or some such. It is a great way to look forward to the birth of Christ. We have enjoyed doing them. Last year we switched gears and did a different book, but I can't remember it's name right now Undecided

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #14 on: October 18, 2006, 11:03:36 AM » by ShabbyChic

I forgot... I wanted to ask how everyone stores their massage oils and body butters. Plastic containers? Glass jars? Do you reuse jars or buy them new? Any resources? All I can find that is "affordable" is plastic, but they are still pricy unless I order 1000 of them. Storage ideas anyone?

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #15 on: October 18, 2006, 11:34:26 AM » by healthybratt

Quote from: ShabbyChic on October 18, 2006, 10:03:31 AM

ROTFL.

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #16 on: October 18, 2006, 12:14:41 PM » by WithLoveAndJoy

Quote from: ShabbyChic on October 18, 2006, 11:03:36 AM

You can find really great prices on nice storage containers at www.glorybee.com They also have really great craft stuff there for making soaps, and other toiletries.

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #17 on: October 18, 2006, 07:53:53 PM » by Pastorswife2B

If you have a color printer an easy and great variation on the picture theme is to make a family picture calender for the coming year! I find this is great for hard to shop for grandpa's and you can customize the dates for them so they have all those pesky b-days and anniversaries already written down. You can find calender templates online through word with the dates and everything already made up and then you just print a cute picture of your family or kids on the back and viola! instant present.

-Heather

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #18 on: October 18, 2006, 08:54:12 PM » by queentea

For the past several years I have been concerned about the amount of "stuff" my kids get for Christmas. Its like the families all "compete" and they end up getting way too much stuff. So my sister and I decided that for the kids they could make eachother gifts. Last year we made aprons with fabric paint (they are girls) and one year they did picture frames that they painted for each of the kids. This year my SIL and I decided that instead of the usual exchange gift cards, that we'd take that money and "adopt" a needy family. Wanting to be sure that we really got someone in need, we asked around and found a pregnant lady that has NOTHING and is in real need, so this year we will make a day of shopping for her and her unborn baby. We will get together and wrap the gifts and then take them to her...I am excited about the kids being able to see first hand the joy of giving to someone in real need!

For eachother, last year we "finished" the basement with a family room and rec room and people were able to give us gifts for that project...TV, foseball game, air hockey etc.
This year we are planning a family day/weekend but are unsure of what we will do. The majority want to go skiing, but I am want to do Great Wolf Lodge (where its warm!!) I'll probably loose out though and we will go skiing...anyway it will be a day of fun and then we will get the kids one small gift to open and then they get eachother little things (dollar store)...those are some of the best times as they are so much more excited about seeing Sissy or Bubby open the gift THEY bought for them!

I like to make baskets for the hard to buy people with baked good, but this year I may do a health and beauty basket ...we'll see. For the cousins we are making the tie fleece blankets which will be easy for even my smallest hands (5) to help with.

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #19 on: October 18, 2006, 09:23:50 PM » by lewisquiverfull

Keep the ideas coming!! I'm searching for anything inexpensive!!!
We usually make candy trays for family and close neighbors. We have a lot of elderly that don't get out, so they enjoy the kids making candy for them. (Peanut Brittle, cookies, Ritz and PB dipped in Almond bark, yummy, fudge, etc.)
My MIL can sew anything. She usually makes something for the kids, last year she made ponchos and purses for the granddaughters, and army jackets for the grandsons (with their last name on the patch Wink

) They all thought that was the COOLEST gifts ever. The boys wore their army jackets even in the summer

.
As far as supporting missions, I got a catalog from a friend called World Crafts Village, it is crafts made by native people, and sold through this US company. 100% of the money goes to the native that made the product. There is LOTS to choose from, many gift ideas, and you help support someone really in need by doing it. Thier website is www.WorldCraftsVillage.com . They also host parties for churches, or families and you get a discount on shipping.
So, since I have rambled long enough, does anyone have recipies for lip gloss or anything like that? I bought some little jars from Oriental Trading and they look perfect for gloss or someting small.
For that special someone, make a scrapbook full of your memories! I made one for my hubby for our anniversary, and he loved it. I made it very special with lots of journaling.
OK, I'm done for now. Cool

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #20 on: October 18, 2006, 09:49:41 PM » by ShabbyChic

What a neat site joyfullyhis. I am SERIOUSLY wasting time looking at all of this fabulous stuff. Thanks, too, because I found 12 glass jars for $10. Awesome!

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #21 on: October 19, 2006, 12:21:38 AM » by KeepItSimple

Quote from: ShabbyChic on October 18, 2006, 11:03:36 AM

I've been looking for plastic buckets for my wheat..and came across this site. You can order up to 10 items (some restrictions apply) for free to try them out to see if you like them. You only have to pay shipping, which they said was typically around $4. You can only get 1 of each item. Anyway..check them out..they may have what you are looking for (for future use anyway..since I see you already got something from glorybee).

Peace,
Camille

The site is www.containerandpackaging.com

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #22 on: October 19, 2006, 09:06:54 PM » by Nickole

Quote from: KeepItSimple on October 19, 2006, 12:21:38 AM

Quote from: ShabbyChic on October 18, 2006, 11:03:36 AM

You can get icing buckets free from bakeries at grocery stores. That's what I have done - it's hit or miss when they have some "empty" - you still have to clean the leftover icing out but kids+hose+soap+long handled brush=FUN FUN FUN! My kids loved cleaning them out! The lids have the seals still too. Just let them dry out well enough. Also, Walmart sells theirs for $1 each and they clean them our pretty well for you. At least my Walmart did. It was worth it for me to buy a few from them, as I started having bad timing trying to get more from grocery stores! The only thing about the Walmart ones, is at least here even though it says it is the same size as the ones at other bakeries I have gotten (gallons/weight capacity) it is a few inches shorter yet the diameter is the same. Somethin's not right there Undecided

Anyway, get them for free is my advise! Or $1 each - not bad!

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #23 on: October 19, 2006, 09:48:47 PM » by KeepItSimple

Thanks for the advice..but a day too late Sad

I already ordered 3 of them (at $5 apiece) and the gamma lids to go on them. Oh well...at least it saves me a drive to Wally World (which is 45 minutes away) Cheesy

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #24 on: October 20, 2006, 11:12:55 PM » by lovetolearn

I'll let you know Wyomama if I figure it out...

Thought of another idea: I know not everyone thinks "in colors" but some people do and I guess I'm one of them sometimes. When I think how I feel about my ds, I think of several deep shades of red, DH- yellow and blue, Sister- green. Crazy, I know. Roll Eyes

Anyway, I thought it'd be cool to paint an abstract (and small) picture for them in "their colors." Sounds wacky I'm sure but it was a doable, potentially meaningful idea I thought I'd share.

I read about this one in a magazine:
Take a cool piece of china, choose a cool pic- blow it up to fill the inside of the plate, cut to fit and glue/double-sided tape to afix. Then you have a "China Picture Frame" with the decorative rim of the china creating the frame for your special picture. Looked cool in the mag I saw it in!

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #25 on: October 22, 2006, 06:27:06 PM » by wyomama3

Last year we gave decorated serving plates. You need a clear plate (walmart $1), fabric, and Mod Podge (craft dept). Cut the fabric an inch bigger than the plate. Paint the backside of the plate with the podge, stick the fabric to it-printed side to plate, smooth out bubbles, and paint the fabric with more podge. Pay attention to the edge of the plate, so it sticks well. Whe the fabric is dry, trim the excess off the edge. My children were 7 and 4 last year, and made many seasonal and 'year round' versions. Everyone enjoyed this inexpensive gift, some we filled with treats and passed out in our community- Sunday school teachers, mechanic, neighbors, special friends, etc. The plates are not water immersable. I stuck a tag on the back of the plate with the reminder to wipe clean with a damp cloth. I did discover that the cotton prints work the best. The pretty irridescent, sparkly fabrics looked great, but took more time and much patience.

« Last Edit: October 22, 2006, 06:34:56 PM by wyomama2 »
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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #26 on: October 22, 2006, 08:51:12 PM » by Nickole

Quote from: KeepItSimple on October 19, 2006, 09:48:47 PM

Thanks for the advice..but a day too late Sad

I already ordered 3 of them (at $5 apiece) and the gamma lids to go on them. Oh well...at least it saves me a drive to Wally World (which is 45 minutes away) Cheesy

Sorry - well, now you know if you ever need any more! I don't have gamma lids, but I have found they are really not needed, unless you have manicured nails, then it may help b/c opening the normal lids will break your nails most likely. They aren't hard to open and close - and it's pretty quick. Or you can do like I do and have your children have the job of taking off the lids and putting them back on. My son loves that job, and it's good healthy kid work and he's a blessing to his Mama! Grin

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #27 on: October 22, 2006, 09:30:44 PM » by *MommaJo*

Quote from: healthybratt on October 17, 2006, 11:51:43 PM

Scavanger Hunt in a Bottle

.... Make sure you leave about an inch above the bird seed or more or there's no room to move the seed around to look for the items.
...

I love this idea...and plan on doing it, but isn't the point of it so they CAN move the seeds to find the items. Or do you just roll the bottle around until the items come to the sides and that is when you find them?

I am probably restating a few ideas here, but wanted to add to some as well.

About 6 years ago, my sil & our family made a scrapbook for my mil & fil. We haven't filled it in in that many years. They know money is tight for all of us so they asked that we update our families pages for their gift this year. I use my digital camera and Microsoft Picture It Premium and make BEAUTIFUL collages. I have a printer with photo ink and will print new collage/scrapbook pages (I don't scrapbook the 'tradional' way). I am making a family calendar for my family this year. I'll just print that from my printer also. Another option for better quality pictures is to send your pictures to winkflash.com or snapfish.com. Walmart offers that service as well & you can pick your prints up at your local Walmart if you want.

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #28 on: October 22, 2006, 09:33:25 PM » by Kansas Girl

One thing that I'm doing this year is embroidering a set of tea towels for my MIL. She is really hard to buy for and I decided that this would at least be useful. It is very inexpensive at only $1 per towel (I use pre-hemmed white flour sack towels) It does take some time to embroider, but if you enjoy that kind of thing it can be fun especially with the days getting colder. Just thought I would throw that fairly inexpensive idea out there just in case someone could use it. Grin

-KG

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #29 on: October 22, 2006, 10:25:08 PM » by Kari

We give a batch of homemade granola as a whole-family/household gift.

Buying the nuts/seeds/coconut/dried fruit from a wholesaler like Vending Nut keeps cost down or nuts in big quantity from our local Pecan orchard is cheaper than by the pound at the grocery store.

My kids help make the granola and decorate the bags (plastic zip top 9"x12").

To decorate we have put the plastic bags inside brown paper bags, taped off the front w/ blue painters tape (to create a clean edged margin) and let the kids paint within the taped boundaries, then removed the tape.

Another way we've decorated is by tracing cookie cutters onto 4"x6" self adhesive white labels (like Avery) and coloring, then putting the sticker on the plastic bags.

Also, my oldest writes what to do with it and we tape that on the back of the plastic bag w/ tearable package tape. "Christmas Granola. Eat as a cereal with milk, or top yogurt, or eat out-of-hand."

Kari in Texas

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Proverbs 23:26 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

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