Christmas Fabric Wrap

This year, my daughter Erin suggested we wrap gifts in fabric – not paper. I think it’s a great idea as we can re use the fabric year after year. I picked up fabric scraps at the thrift store. I also came across some lightweight cotton place mats that will be a nice size to wrap a small gift.  I have a few older table clothes that my mom sewed for me many years ago. I think I’ll re purpose them into wrap also. I hope you give green gift wrapping a try.

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Remember Your Delivery People

This year I’ve made an extra effort in planning a little gift for our letter carrier and other individuals who make deliveries to our home. We’ve had temperatures as low as – 38 C already, but this hasn’t stopped these diligent workers from stopping by our home/business. If you’re able, remember your delivery people &/or sanitation workers this holiday season.

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Hostess (Host) Gifts

When I am invited to someone’s home, I sometimes bring a small gift for the host or hostess. Although it’s not necessary, it is a gesture of my appreciation.  If you would like to do the same, here are a few ideas of what you could bring:

–         printed paper napkins

–         natural scented room spray

–         small package of homemade chocolate covered nuts (easy to make in a jiffy)

–         small jar of homemade jam ( I buy this at a local craft/farmers market)

–         cooking or decorating magazine

–         flowers

Remember to consider your budget. Make the gift personal, not expensive, and not too glitzy. Have fun. Linda

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Become Great at Accepting Unforeseen Gifts

You know, it really is important to be a good gift receiver.  There was a time when I felt uncomfortable receiving gifts out of the blue. Then I thought about how I like to give a little spontaneous gift just because I’m thinking of someone & want to show them that they’re special to me. I realized that I needed to allow others to experience the special blessing that gift giving creates by accepting a gift graciously – with no strings attached. Now, I’ve become a much better receiver of unanticipated gifts.

Here is a story that illustrates my point better. Over the years, I’ve occasionally volunteered at a local soup kitchen.  I like to work at the coffee/tea counter because I have direct client contact. At this kitchen, it’s suggested that the client pay a dime for a cup of coffee. (If they don’t have a dime, they get the coffee anyway). I wondered about the fee and asked a staff member why the coffee wasn’t free considering the meal was. It was explained to me that charging a fee was providing an opportunity for the clients to maintain their dignity. You see, most of them have a dime. What surprised me was how generous these individuals were with their limited amount of money. If they could, many also paid .10 cents for the person behind them in the coffee line. Believe me; the clients were very happy to have the opportunity to give a gift of a cup of coffee to another. I’m always moved by these acts of kindness.

There is just something so very special about giving a gift – don’t you agree? We all need to help provide the opportunity for others to give gifts by being good receivers – no matter what journey we (or they) are on.  Have a wonderful day. Linda

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Say Nice Things To Others

The other day, I was reminded of how important it is to say something kind to someone else. I was talking with my youngest daughter  Erin about growing old.  During our conversation, she said ‘Don’t worry mom, when you are old I’ll help you in the bath and if I can’t, then I will hire someone to help you’.  Her kind words really meant a lot to me and I quickly wrote them down in my ‘pleasant things’  journal. The next day, we (Erin, Gerry and I) went out for breakfast to a very busy restaurant. The server was amazing. She was very pleasant;  wore a non stop smile; and knew the menu well enough to make a good suggestion from each page. I said to her ‘you are a fantastic waitress’. She seemed quite surprised and also flattered by my compliment. You know,  a kind word, or a compliment, is a free gift you can give that has tremendous impact on the receiver.  Give someone a compliment today. Then work on getting better at giving compliments, that’s what I’m trying to do.

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Freecycle

A while ago, as I was online looking for moving boxes, I came across the Freecycle website.   Freecycle is a grassroots and nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It’s all about reuse, recycle, and keeping good stuff out of landfills. The site is very well organized and monitored. Often, when I sort a clothes closet or declutter a room, I post items on Freecycle.  I have gifted items such as: an office chair; books; a chest of drawers; DVD s; a rain barrel; clothing; hunting gear; moving boxes; and computer hardware. I have kept many things out of the land fill. I have also acquired a few things. This is how it works in a nutshell: you post an “Offer” with a brief description of what you are offering; Freecycle members who are interested reply and you receive an email; you choose who to gift the item to; the person drives to your home and picks the item up (I put the item on my porch with a name on it). If you are looking for something in particular you create a ‘Wanted’ post. To sign up, go to http://www.freecycle.org/ to find your community. Have fun!

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Colored Spatulas

Hello Ladies, I hope you are having a wonderful day.  While shopping, I often see nifty utensils and such in the kitchen area. I am referring to items like: decorative stir sticks; attractive coasters; brightly colored pots, measuring cups & peelers; silicone tea infusers; colored popcorn; etc.  I am sure you know what I am talking about.  Some items are retro looking. I often think ‘this is nice- but is it practical?’ Last week I was speaking on the phone with my daughter, Lindsey. She was so cheery. She said she was feeling so happy because she was cooking using her neon spatulas. For her, colored spatulas just make the experience fun.  Now, I understand one purpose for these clever items – enjoyment. I’ve decided they make great gifts. Color appears  to enhance the cooking/serving/hosting experience. If you are not already using something like this, I hope you give it a try. Come to think of it, my favorite roaster is red, my favorite casserole dish is green and I do like my colored spatulas.  Thanks for reading my blog today. Have a great week. Linda.

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Keepsake Heirloom Ornament

Keepsake Heirloom Ornament

I love to put these heirloom ornaments on the tree every year as they remind me of my heritage. The photo you see here is of my sister and me when we were young.  I am holding the baseball glove. I made several of these keepsake ornaments a few years ago. I gave them to my siblings as gifts.

I am once again making these with my girlfriends tonight.

Here are the instructions.

Scan old photos

Paste to a Word document.  (I can usually get about 12 or more photos on one page)

Save as PDF.

Print on 8 ½ X 11 decal paper (or any paper with an adhesive back).

Trim each photo to fit on glass bulb. Leave a white border. I like to use scissors that leave a jagged edge.

Peel off backing.

Stick photo to the bulb. You may need to make small incisions around the border of the photo in order to fit on a round bulb.

Spray very lightly with spray varnish  (or you can use Mod Podge Gloss on and around photo edge)

Attach a ribbon.

Enjoy!

(I learned about these keepsake ornaments in Better and Homes and Gardens December 2003 magazine)

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Christmas Price Index

This is an interesting and fun website. Be sure to watch the video.
http://www.pncchristmaspriceindex.com/CPI/index.html

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