Holidays and Birthdays

Re: My Plans for Christmas Presents

Dara — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 12:01:39 GMT

I like the bag idea! That's good.

I've posted my list on another thread as well, but I can't find it again so I'll just repost here.

Out of town family (DH's siblings--all originally from KY): Box of Kentucky food items--home canned salsa/spagetti sauce/jam, Moonlite BBQ sauce, Ale 8 sodas, etc
DH's employees: Movie basket--plastic popcorn bucket filled with homemade popcorn spices, popcorn, $5 Blockbuster giftcard, movie candy from the Dollar Tree, 2 (glass) bottles of soda
Our parents: Breakfast basket--homemade jam, orange honey, scone & pancake mix, orange cranberry bread, bagels, cutting board & spreaders, blueberry syrup
Nieces & nephews (all under 3 years old): Fleece throws with knotted fringe (super cheap to make right now as Hancock Fabrics has their fleece 50% off!!) plus money for their 529s
My sister & her husband: Lowe's gift card or similar. They just bought their first home.
My brother & his fiancee: Unknown--I've got to think of something soon. Maybe I'll get out the P15 crochet hook and make them a quick throw blanket for their house.
My co-workers: Christmas candy & cookies

We'll also do a couple of name draws so if those people are girls, they will probably get Arbonne lotion or something since I sell it and have a good discount. If they are guys, I'm stumped. Probably a UofK sweatshirt or something.

Everyone on this thread has such good ideas. As you can see above, I've swiped a few pointers from others. I hope the owners don't mind!

Re: My Plans for Christmas Presents

babs — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:53:48 GMT

Tracy, I do the bag thing too, one for each person. Babs

Re: My Plans for Christmas Presents

latenightleader — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 18:45:38 GMT

Thanks, Happy.

Re: My Plans for Christmas Presents

happy — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:07:15 GMT

Hi Latenightleader

I sent you an instant message, not sure if you got it.

Could you check.

Thanks

Happy

Re: My Plans for Christmas Presents

latenightleader — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:20:28 GMT

Usually by July I have a line up of grocery bags with a few things in for each person. This year still just have one bin of things, not very helpful. I think I'll set up the bags, and start, as suggested, getting some food items for the kids with food stamps. Tnat will make me feel like I'm started, at least. Right now I just feel behind.

A friend sent home with me today a slightly used little girls stationary kit. Will go to the 6 or 9 yo, it's ballerina theme. Updated with a new pen.

Re: My Plans for Christmas Presents

Pat — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:52:00 GMT

JennyC:
Have you tried the greens in early spring?

Oh, yes. Dock greens are always looked forward to in the spring, as they're the first wild food of that sort to appear here. They have a mild flavor, somewhat reminiscent of beet greens. A spring feast is chopped dock greens boiled with leftover Easter ham and a little onion, then cheese added after it's done.

Re: My Plans for Christmas Presents

Pat — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 01:56:39 GMT

I tried dock seed once, too.

When using seed or husks from more unusual things, it might be wise to microwave a sockfull a couple or three times to see how it holds up - if it burns or smells bad.

Re: My Plans for Christmas Presents

arianasilver — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:33:46 GMT

Oh, I saw this in one of my cooking communities on livejournal and thought it was awesome. Homemade vanilla extract: http://www.essortment.com/all/vanillahomemade_rbkv.htm

You can buy 20 organic vanilla beans for $5 at this shop: http://stores.ebay.com/The-Organic-Vanilla-Bean-Company

I think I'm going to do it! We could send a bottle to each of our mom's, and we have a few friends who love to bake so this would be a great gift. I could do up jars of vanilla sugar too.

I think it would be great to put together a mixing bowl, whisk, vanilla sugar, extract, knitted or quilted (homemade) potholders and some baking mixes for a gift. Maybe a nice set of measuring cups? Most of that you can get at the dollar store, potholders too if you don't want to make them. Boy I know I'd love to get something like that, but I love to bake.

Re: My Plans for Christmas Presents

babs — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 10:52:28 GMT

Gayla, could you please post the cup of soup reciepes? That sounds like a great gift for singles. I have a few older women that are widowed and need something for Christmas. Babs

Re: My Plans for Christmas Presents

gayla50 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:37:43 GMT

well I revamped my Christmas cookie list ... I up from 25 to 32 tins of cookies .. the now am working on what bread I am making ,,, My sil came in the kitchen today she said those cup of soup you gave me last year she said I would really appreciate I had to look for the recipes .. made her up a set.

I think I going to give our more bread gifts this week

I working on making some speical butter , to got with jam

I got a great new Sugar cook recipe I am going to use ....

Re: My Plans for Christmas Presents

arianasilver — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 12:46:42 GMT

D'oh, you're right. I fail LOL!

Re: My Plans for Christmas Presents

MarthaMFI — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:36:43 GMT

Thanks for the idea Ariana! I think you were thinking of Tracy :) I have a homestay boy who may get interested in woodworking but that is about as crafty as it gets.

of course it would help if his birthday and xmas wasn't so close. of course then he wouldn't fit into the family so well!

Re: My Plans for Christmas Presents

arianasilver — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 23:53:21 GMT

Yep, they totally would. I know I'd use one! I was just scrounging around for a piece of paper in my purse after work to write down my email for someone and thought about these again LOL.

Re: My Plans for Christmas Presents

latenightleader — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 23:27:58 GMT

Great crafts! Thanks so much for links. I was thinking the sticky note things would be great for teachers, also.

Thanks.

Re: My Plans for Christmas Presents

arianasilver — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:41:23 GMT

Tracy,

I found some cool crafts that might work for stocking stuffers/gifts for the girls, and none of them really take a lot of "crafting skill" which I think is even better!

http://greetingarts.typepad.com/greetingarts/2008/06/sticky-notes-books-or-sticky-notebooks.html

I think those are pretty nifty. I'm always digging around in my purse for something to write notes on. I'll probably make a few for myself!

http://www.theenchantedgallery.com/dominoes

This is super cool! DB loves playing dominoes. I think I'm going to look around for a stamp that would suit him and make up a set of custom dominoes for his stocking. I might even look for a cheap wood jewelery box that I can emboss to match.

http://anniehoweskeepsakes.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-to-make-gorgeous-scrabble-tile.html

These pendants are all the rage now. I seem them going for $15+ in some shops on Esty. Who knew they were so easy to make?? I think they would make a lovely gift. I planned to make one for my mom, but I might make a few for myself LOL!

Do you have a sewing machine? If so you could probably make a wallet to match her purse or in a cool funky fabric (I love looking at Amy Butler's fabrics and drooling over them even though I can barely sew). Or maybe a small bag to store her mp3 player in?

Edited because I'm stupid lol