Giving!

Christmas is such a great opportunity to love on others and show your appreciation. My oldest is in lots of classes and so we've been baking and making up a storm to show our appreciation and affection to many great teachers. These women pour into my daughter and I love the opportunity to say Merry Christmas and Thank you! With that, I understand budgets can be tight, so here are a few ideas for giving to others, despite your bank account.

Custom decorated cookies. Taking piano lessons? Cut out a piano and music note in cookie dough and ice them something fancy. Wrap in Saran wrap and tie with a bow. You could also wrap them in Saran wrap and then use sheet music as wrapping paper. Found at Goodwill, you can pick some up for very little.

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Hand make a coupon for a night of babysitting. Follow up with the couple a week or so after Christmas to set the date. So often I have offered to watch kids, but haven't initiated getting the date to the calendar. Go the extra step to insure it happens and the gift can be enjoyed.

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Dig into the depths of that craft closet! What could be created with what you have? I recently went on a soap making frenzy and have been joyfully blessing people with bars of handmade soap.
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Button rings! http://ayearwithchickens.blogspot.com/2010/10/buttons.html
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Dollar store frames are inexpensive and make a great base for attaching crafty things. Glue music paper on the wood frame for a music teacher, bird seed or small shells for the nature lover in your life. Use what you have and don't be afraid to experiment! If you have a glue gun, there is no limit to your crafting power!

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Use craft paper and custom make stationary or cards. Assemble cards into a set of 6 or 8 and tie with a bow.
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Homemade delicacies are always appreciated. If you make a mean loaf of banana bread, then share it! Do you love your grandma's pie recipe? Pie up your kitchen and give away for others to enjoy. Did you can 500 pounds of peaches from a trip to Yakima ? Grace a jar with a ribbon and give!
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Create a on-of-a-kind piece of artwork for a friend. Pencil sketch a sweet memory for a friend. Outline in black felt tip marker. "Matte" with colored paper and place in a small frame.

Be a GIVER and have a very Merry Christmas!