The gift giving side of Christmas is not high on my priority list; my love languages are more in line with physical touch, words of affirmation and quality time; gifts is at the very bottom. (A hug and sitting around the living room? Perfect.)
I do enjoy giving gifts when I can come up with something homemade and perfect (it's hard being a perfectionist)! I love being excited for someone to open the gift from me because I put thought and effort into it, rather than being half apologetic because I couldn't think of something better. (It's also true that I think too much.)
I also like a simple life, and am trying hard to come up with ideas of things I can make without getting frazzeled by 'the list'.
Today I thought I would share with you my strategy for this year: the in-ter-net. I just googled 'gifts to make' and got a great idea for the boys. I found something online a couple of weeks ago that I just had to make for K, and bought enough supplies to make some to sell at my craft sales. I found something for just about everyone on my list; now I just have to get making!
I do recognize that not everyone appreciates homemade, and don't worry, I would rather spend money on something someone will actually use than give them something I made that will be junk in their home. I am as concerned about usefulness as well as being frugal. :)
I'm not intending to go on a big rant here; I don't want you thinking that you have to give me something homemade or I won't appreciate it. I would be happy to open anything, because I know it comes from someone who cared enough to think of me. I would be very happy with a mixed CD or baking or a family photo for my wall. I would be honored to know that someone gave a donation to a charity (water projects or education in Africa?) in my name. I would laugh if we got money to go towards our kitchen renos...
Here are a few sites to check out:
Advent Conspiracy - be sure to check out the video. Our preaching series for Advent is going to be on the four themes laid out in AC - Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, Love All. I'm very excited to see if our church grasps the idea.
How About Orange - fun stuff on this one. I like the printables.
Instructables - "Homemade gifts are the best" is what they say!
whip up - I like that most of these blogs have a list of blogs on the side so you could get lost in crafty-blogginess for a good long time.
Craftster
Craft Gossip
 | ||
| At Thanksgiving, playing the family trivia game I made for Christmas last year. |
I would love to hear your thoughts on Christmas gifts, family traditions, or sites where you find inspiration.
No comments:
Post a Comment