Homemade Holidays

Are you ready for the holidays? I don't know about you, but I find shopping really hard work. If you don't know me already, I love to make things (not Martha-Stewart crazy, but simple things we have on-hand or are easy to do.) This year, friends of ours reminded me of a project my mother used to make us do, poking hundred of sewing pins into styrofoam balls to make out own Christmas ornaments. While she used to have us cover the whole ball, having a bit of while space isn't so bad, and the foam makes a perfect snow texture for a snowman! 

My kids always ask me what I want, for Christmas and I much prefer something they make, rather than an attempt to go out shopping. Right now, there is a big book of drawings in the works as well as a poem, but here's a beautiful canvas/collage from my five-year old son a few years ago.

I like making photo books and calendars as gifts using blurb, shutterfly or snapfish. They have easy to use templates that can showcase all those photos that permanently live in your computer! 

Food gifts are unique, delicious and special. Try the Holiday Spiced Nuts, Homemade Granola or, of course, COOKIES - from a simple, yet versatile cut-out cookie for the kids to decorate, to spicy gingerbread. 

Homemade gifts do take time, but are so much more meaningful and valuable.