| The time of year has arrived when everyone is | | | | holiday placemats, stockings, gift bags, paper |
| scampering around the shops and malls in a tizzy | | | | snowflakes, pine cone ornaments, beaded |
| trying to find just the right gift for that special | | | | ornaments, and many more projects. |
| someone in their lives. The holiday season has | | | | 6) Traditional holiday recipes, such as main dishes, |
| become more commercialized as it's ever been. | | | | pastries, breads, cookies, and pies. Get the whole |
| Wouldn't it be nice to see more families have a | | | | family involved including non-immediate members. |
| simple homemade Christmas without all the | | | | If you're hosting this year, have your guests bring |
| stress? | | | | one homemade item per family. |
| Just thinking about it gives me 10 fun ideas the | | | | 7) Photo albums. Making photo albums is always |
| whole family would enjoy, especially from a | | | | fun. Your kids will love helping with this project. |
| parent's perspective. Enjoying a homemade | | | | Gather up all those old photos that have been |
| Christmas with your children can be fun, | | | | stored in your closet for years and put them to |
| educational, and entertaining. Children need to | | | | use. If you have a large amount of photos, you |
| experience the true meaning for the season and I | | | | can make up many small ones or standard sized |
| can't think of a better way than sharing and giving | | | | ones if you choose. Be creative with borders and |
| homemade gifts. | | | | backgrounds. You can also use quotes with each |
| 1) Homemade Christmas cards. All you would | | | | photo. Also various quilting patterns can be used |
| need is a computer, printer, and some sort of | | | | for the outside of the albums. |
| card /stationery software and you're ready to go. | | | | 8) Scrapbook of memories. For this you can save |
| I print out newsletters myself every year for the | | | | special bows from gift packages, gift tags, gift |
| holidays. You could do this or make your own | | | | wrap, festive stickers, tree garland, holiday cards, |
| cards. Get the kids involved, they'll love helping | | | | and letters to Santa, just to name a few. Get |
| with the various designs. Also you can always | | | | your children coloring pictures. You can also use |
| have the kids make them with crayolas and | | | | some of your favorite photos. A family tree is |
| colored markers on construction paper. | | | | also another great idea. Gather creativity and |
| 2) Homemade Christmas ornaments. Decorating | | | | imagination from all family members. |
| your tree with homemade items can be both fun | | | | 9) Homemade decorations for your front window. |
| and economical. You would be surprised at how | | | | I used to really have a lot of fun making things |
| much money you would be saving. Get everyone | | | | for our window when I was a small child. All you |
| together (Dads too), and make some holiday | | | | would need is construction paper or poster paper, |
| traditions and memories. | | | | scissors, crayons, glue, and glitter. I always had |
| 3) Baked items in festive tins for gifts. If you are | | | | fun with the glitter. |
| financially challenged this year, these would be | | | | 10) Recipe books. This project can be a lot of fun |
| practical gifts that would always be appreciated. | | | | when you include recipes from various family |
| Have the kids help make them up special for | | | | members. You can share stories that go along |
| family and friends. And yes, the made from | | | | with each recipe and also add photos. For this, |
| scratch recipes are always the best. | | | | you will want to use all the family favorites that |
| 4) Croteched items. Now this is more for the | | | | have been passed on from generation to |
| Moms of course unless you have a teenage | | | | generation. These are great for gift ideas. |
| daughter that would be interested in crocheting. | | | | Make these activities a family tradition year after |
| You can make various gift items including | | | | year. You will be making memories that your |
| potholders, scarves, afghans, and angels, just to | | | | children will reflect on for years to come and also |
| name a few. | | | | teaching them the true meaning of the Christmas |
| 5) Craft items. For this, the sky is the limit. You | | | | season. |
| can make all sorts of crafty novelties, including | | | | |