Christmas creativity...

I am so excited for Christmas! I love thinking of the people I love most and coming up with things that they would be happy to get. Last year, I did all my Christmas shopping in a matter of three hours from 5-8 AM the day after Christmas. It wasn't the most personal shopping experience of my life, and I wasn't really that convinced that the gifts I bought would be enjoyed wholeheartedly by the receivers.

The year before, I did a homemade Christmas inspired by my sister-in-law Pam, who is so good at being creative and delivering big love with her homemade gifts. I had so much fun thinking about the people I was making things for, and I knew that my kids were excited to watch the homemade gifts come to life as I made them.

In spite of the economy and feeling like we need to be saving more and preparing for financially tighter times, I am looking forward to spoiling my loved ones with my time and creativity for an affordable, memorable Christmas. Ruby and I have been talking about what we want to do, and we have found some really great ideas online. I don't want to share what we are doing, because my loved ones would have a spoiler as to their Christmas surprises, but here are some things that my sister-in-law has done for us in the past that we loved...

This bag is a free pattern from Joann.com. Pam made it in fun girly colors and I even carry it occasionally...it is SUPER cute, and we use it all the time. I think this would be easily appreciated by a large span of ages.

This pillow can be made from leftover fabrics (I have three cabinets full, and I'm willing to donate). Pam made one for Ruby using fabrics that matched her room colors. She made hers into a circle and put a white eyelt ruffle around the edge.
Last year she made this "Memory Lane" game for our family using family trivia. She even emailed me some questions so that she could use trivia from my side of the family! What a great idea, and no sewing required!
Pam has also made me a lovely collage of pictures using Photoshop and all my favorite pics of my little one, Ruby when she was a newborn. With a little text and a nice mat that she cut herself (not everyone can do that) it was an easy thing to mail and it meant a lot to me. I got a frame for it and hung it on the wall next to Ruby's blessing dress in our upstairs hallway.

I was in the hall at church and they were doing sign ups for an annual craft day for the women, and there were the most darling homemade cards that only cost $1.50 for a dozen. I think handmade cards are a rare thing to have on hand, and such a great, affordable, shipping friendly gift. One year, I made hairbows for my neices. It may only have cost me $2 to make three bows, and bows are expensive if you buy them!

Can I just say that Joann.com is the best resource for free patterns that I have found?! You can search for all craft types, paper, knitting, sewing, no-sewing, holiday, wood, painting...there are so many options!

I am amazed at what a little Modge Podge can do to liven up an old item. I've seen some awesome things that people have made by covering an item with scrapbook paper and modge podge...it could even be something you found at goodwill, or you have in a closet in your house, cover it in darling tissue paper, and voila!

It could be the tastiest cookie mix in a jar or a $3 frame from Walmart with a priceless picture inside to remind a loved one of a memory that will last forever.

I love Christmas! I love giving gifts to others and teaching my children about hope, love and how special it is to remember our loved ones at this time of year.