Merry Christmas!!!

To all of my reader I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Day 25

A cute gift idea is personalizing a picture frame. This picture frame was only a dollar and the decal was only fifty cents. You could add feathers, rhinestones, or zoo animals. Add the picture you want and you have a nice personalized gift.

Day 24

I always loved getting craft kits when I was little. I made a headband and hair clip craft kit four under five dollars. I got craft headbands, clips,  feathers, fabric, buttons, and glue. Then I put them in a cute shirt box and lined it with shiny paper. You can customize this kit for anyone and it makes a perfect gift for any girl who lives crafting and being stylish.

Day 23

I am in college and do not have very much money. I typically give my brother coupons for Christmas or his birthday. I make them out for a car or room cleaning, or a free lunch. This gift idea is also good for children to give their parents. It may be simple, but it comes from the heart. 

Day 22

Charlie Brown-ies is a good gift for anyone. The brownie recipe I use is linked here  http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Mmm-Mmm-Better-Brownies/Detail.aspx
I mixed all of my dry ingredients and put them in a clean spaghetti jar. Then I printed out the rest of the instructions and glued it to the jar with a picture of charlie brown. Then I put fabric over the lid and added a bow.  I do warn you that this brownie recipe is VERY good and you won't be able to eat just one! 

Day 21

 For the longest time my mother ran a daycare in our house. At Christmas she always liked to give a small present to the kids so she would go to the dollar tree and but crayons, color pencils, and a color book to give the. This only cost three dollars and was perfect for the children.

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Day 20

 I have been looking for a cat scratcher for my cat, but the ones at the store were expensive and made out of cardboard. So I decided to look online on how to make one.

What you will need
Cardboard
Hot Glue Card Stock
Carpet Tape
Packing Tape
Ribbon

My dad cut the cardboard 3 inches wide with his band saw (sorry if I seplt that wrong). This literally took 5 minutes. Then I coiled it into circles and put double sided carpet tape at the end of the cardboard and then taped it down with packing tape ( Look at Picture 3 and 4). Keep doing this until you reach your desired size.

I then hot glued card stock on the bottom and tape card stock to the sides and trimmed it up.  Then I glued the non slip shelf lining on the bottom so it won't slide around. My cat has the tendency to leap on things and knocks them over.  Finally I hot glued the ribbon on the bottom. 

Day 19

I am all about organization. So when I saw this cute bulletin board at the dollar tree I had to get it. This gift is so cute and you can personalize for anyone's taste.

Supplies
bulletin Board (mine was one dollar)
Can
Paint
Fabric or scrap book Paper
Spray adhesive or glue.

What I did was sanded the wood bulletin board and painted it blue. Then I sprayed the can with adhesive spray and covered it with scrapbook paper.

Day 18

 Previously I posted the story about The Christmas Orange. This gift basket is filled with clementines and I included the story The Christmas Orange. I think that this gift is perfect, because not many people think about giving fruit as gifts around Christmas. 

Day 17

This gift cost only $4.00. At the party store they had a sale on dinnerware that was 2/3 dollars. I made the menu and napkin rings out of scrapbook paper and card stock. This gift is perfect to have on hand for the unexpected gifts you receive from neighbors or co-workers. 

The Christmas Orange

      Jake was nine years old with tousled brown hair with blue eyes as bright as a heavenly angel. For as long as Jake could remember he had lived within the walls of a poor orphanage. He was just one of ten children supported by what meager contributions the orphan home could obtain in a continuous struggle seeking donations from townsfolk.

      There was very little to eat, but at Christmas time there always seemed to be a little more than usual to eat, the orphanage seemed a little warmer, and it was time for a little holiday enjoyment. But more than this, there was the Christmas orange!

     Christmas was the only time of year that such a rare treat was provided and it was treasured by each child like no other food admiring it, feeling it, prizing it and slowly enjoying each juicy section. Truly, it was the light of each orphan's Christmas and their best gift of the season. How joyful would be the moment when Jake received his orange!

      Unknown to him, Jake had somehow managed to track a small amount of mud on his shoes through the front door of the orphanage, muddying the new carpet. He hadn't even noticed. Now it was too late and there was nothing he could do to avoid punishment. The punishment was swift and unrelenting. Jake would not be allowed his Christmas orange! It was the only gift he would receive from the harsh world he lived in, yet after a year of waiting for his Christmas orange, is was to be denied him.

      Tearfully, Jake pleaded that he be forgiven and promised never to track mud into the orphanage again, but to no avail. He felt hopeless and totally rejected. Jake cried into his pillow all that night and spent Christmas Day feeling empty and alone. He felt that the other children didn't want to be with a boy who had been punished with such a cruel punishment. Perhaps they feared he would ruin their only day of happiness. Maybe, he reasoned, the gulf between him and his friends existed because they feared he would ask for a little of their oranges. Jake spent the day upstairs, alone, in the unheated dormitory. Huddled under his only blanket, he read about a family marooned on an island. Jake wouldn't mind spending the rest of his life on an isolated island, if he could only have a real family that cared about him.

      Bedtime came, and worst of all, Jake couldn't sleep. How could he say his prayers? How could there be a God in Heaven that would allow a little soul such as his, to suffer so much all by himself? Silently, he sobbed for the future of mankind that God might end the suffering in the world, both for himself and all others like him.

      As he climbed back into bed from the cold, hard floor, a soft hand touched Jake's shoulder, startling him momentarily and an object was silently placed in his hands. The giver disappeared into the darkness, leaving Jake with what, he did not immediately know!

      Looking closely at it in the dim light, he saw that it looked like an orange! Not a regular orange, smooth and shiny, but a special orange, very special. Inside a patched together peal were the segments of nine other oranges, making one whole orange for Jake! The nine other children in the orphanage had each donated one segment of their own precious oranges to make a whole orange as a gift for Jake. 

This story came from http://www.santalady.com/xmasgame/stories/orange.html

2009 Gingerbread House

 This was my 2009 gingerbread house. I had made two previous houses, but I couldn't find the pictures. Once I get this year's gingerbread house done I will post pictures.

Day 16

In the stores you see gingerbread house kits. One year my parents surprised me with a gingerbread house kit and I LOVED it! So each year I make a gingerbread house. This would make the perfect gift for friends or family members.

This Pattern is from the website http://ultimategingerbread.com/ they have many patterns and ideas on how to decorate it.

Here is the recipe I used

5 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 cup margin
1cup of brown sugar
1 ¼ cups molasses
2 eggs, beaten


In the microwave melt margin when the margin is melted add sugar, molasses and beaten eggs. Mix well and add the spices and flour. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate until firm enough to handle.

When dough is easy to handle, roll the dough out to a 1/8” thickness and cut out desired shapes.

Preheat oven to 325 and bake the large pieces for 14 minutes and the smaller pieces for 10 minutes. It will probably take longer for your house to cook than the recommended time, but it is better to be safe than sorry. For this house I had to make two batches. 

If giving this for a gift you could add candy, and mix powered sugar and meringue powder to make royal icing.

Christmas Television Specials

Christmas is one of my favorite holidays. I love the time I get to spend with my family, the food, and the television specials.  I do not own these videos, but here are links to my favorite Christmas Specials.

Charlie Brown Christmas
 http://www.hulu.com/watch/198677/a-charlie-brown-christmas

Christmas Bewitch 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmdSiPbBiFg

Arthur's Perfect Christmas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S__qeI7VmL4

Day 15

Today gift idea came from a gift my father made my grandparents.  For my grandparents 50th anniversary my father made a dvd that had pictures slide show and music on it. I thought that this gift was unique and it meant a lot to my grandparents. You could also record your children playing instruments, singing, or doing recitals. With the programs available on computers its easy to make cds and dvds. This would make a good gift for grandparents, aunts, or uncles.

Day 14

 At my house we always make up extra Christmas treats and give them as gifts. I like to include a recipe book, name tags, and recipe cards so others can have the option to give bake goods to their friends.
I took a shirt box I got from the dollar tree and lined it with wax paper and filled it with sugar cookies, fudge, and peppermint ice. Then I typed up some recipes and made gift tags and recipe cards out of stock paper.

Day 13

This gift is perfect for when you need a needle and thread and do not want to go through your sewing box. This idea came to me one day when my brother asked me for a needle and thread. I thought he should have his own sewing kit so he doesn't have to go through my box every time he needs something sewn.

Supplies

Thread

Needle

Stick Pin

Safety Pin

Buttons

Card Stock

Scrapbook paper

Cut out card stock and wrap the thread around it. Then put the needle and stick pins in some card stock. Take the safety pin and put the buttons on it and then make an envelope and put your sewing supplies  in it. Seal and then your done.

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays to all of you. Christmas has to be my favorite time of year. I enjoy spending time with my family, eating good food, and holiday cheer. While I haven't been blogging very much that will all change on December 9th. Why December 9th? I will officially be on my holiday break! Look forward to tutorials, baking projects, and holiday cheer! 

Day 12

               Christmas is about giving and often I think we forget about that. So for today's gift idea I suggest you donate something. Whether your donating your time, money, food, presents or blood its important to give to others. On December 23rd I am going to play music at my local nursing home. While this may seem like a small gesture it makes a large impact for others.  "Our fingerprints never fade from the lives we touch."