posted August 03, 2004 01:50 AM
Keebs, Great thread. You gave me an idea to bake for Chiristmas. The "older" members of my family have two of everything they want so, I know they'd love some pralines and fudge. And, I know SO will really enjoy making 'em!
BTW-- can someone explain to me what a Pollyanna is? I know it's an old board game, but, besides that, I must be out of the loop.
quote:Originally posted by keebs: I try to have one simple little conversation and it goes to hell in a hand basket. *huff*
Just curious....not trying to start anything, but why did you post your gift exchange question in this particular ("issues") board? (just seemed to me like it would have fit in better on a different board, and might not have gotten ANY silly reactions).
posted August 03, 2004 07:40 AM
She didn't post it here. I moved it from the Join the Discussions forum because I got a complaint. I was trying to find a way to not delete or lock the topic AND keep everyone happy.
posted August 03, 2004 07:46 AM
Ahhh...I guess there are weird people everywhere. I would have thought a nice general discussion about Christmas presents would be fine up there....who knew?!
posted August 03, 2004 10:53 PM
Hey Keebs: Don't know if you care what I have to contribute, but here goes.. I haven't bought anything for my family in years. Every year, I choose a craft for the kids to do with me, and I have since they were born, hey they don't have to REALLY be involved, it just involves them..lol!! The get into it as the get older. See, once you have the baby, no one will care about pics of you..lol! They are gonna go ga ga over the kids..if it is made around the kids, they will LOVE whatever you make.
Last year, the kids and I chose to make all the female teachers and family scented bath salts, and put them in plastic baggies and then stuff that in those fancy bags you can buy at Michael's for the favors or rice at weddings.
For the men, the kids and I went to the beach and looked for the big cockle shells. We bought wooden balls at the craft store and hot glued two to the top of the shell, turn it over and those are the feet to a change holder for a side table or man's desk. We spray painted the whole thing a pearlized white, then a high gloss and it looked like something expensive from a store..lol! The special part is I let each child create their own corporate identity..to make product tags that were attached to their gifts. Madison chose to name herself Maddie Moo Creations, and her logo is a Cow jumping over the moon. I printed a bunch up and included an inexpensive photo book filled with pictures taken throughout the year of each child, along with scanned pictures of their artwork..it turned out really cute.
This year, we have chosen to be bakers, and Madison wants to redesign her tag to include a pic of herself in a chef's hat, whisking in a bowl..lol! We plan to send out mixes for Key Lime cookies, White chocolate brownies, etc.
What I am trying to share with you, is this. The holiday is about family, and making memories for all. The family will always remember the creative and thoughtful gifts you come up with, and you will have started a tradition with your kids that they will remember and cherish all their lives. They might even pass it down to their own children..
I also started handpainting those plain ornaments at Michaels when I got pregnant the first time. Everybody in the family had a ornament dedicated to them..even the cat and the dog..lol! And when each child was born, I painted a baby's first Christmas ornament and dated them. Each year, I choose a new one to paint for that child, that year. So mostly,our trees (the kids have their own tree in their room) are all handmade ornaments. The kids always love the decorate the tree, take each ornament and sigh.."Oh, there's Uncle Mikes train, or Aunt Melissa's teddybear ornament. It's a way to signify each member of your family, even if they live across the country, during the holidays, they hang on your tree, and feel nearer to your heart. Just a few of my "sappy" ideas.. A search in google for homemade gift ideas will have you reading for days.. Hope this holiday is the start of many more memorable ones to come for you and yours..
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posted August 03, 2004 01:50 AM
