Posted by Cindy on 2007-11-24 22:50:40
Post Subject: Christmas Gift Bag
Need a little gift bag for Christmas? Well crochet this cute little bag from recycled plastic bags.
http://www.myrecycledbags.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/giftbagcandy.JPG
Here is the easy pattern for you to crochet the gift bag http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2007/11/23/christmas-gift-bag/
Please enjoy the free pattern and Merry Christmas from My Recycled Bags!
Posted by millersb02 on 2006-11-28 23:55:48
Post Subject: Need holiday craft for teens
I have volunteered to lead a craft project with my mentoring group. The group ranges from 11-18 year old girls... with lots of grown up women mentors to help assist.
I'd like to come up with a craft that they could give someone as a Christmas gift. I have had a hard time coming up with a project that's not to babyish that they will just fly through... but is not too difficult that some will fall behind. We have a good chunk of time - around 2 hours to complete the project. Gift wrapping the creation might be part of the fun.
Your suggestions would be very helpful - and if you can point me at some resources - sites, books, etc I would appreciate that as well.
Posted by artgeek on 2006-10-25 20:50:55
Post Subject: A Polish Christmas
Since most of my family traditions are Polish, I'll outline those, with the following caveats:
1. Many Poles are Roman Catholic, so there tends to be a lot of religious symbolism to these things.
2. I'm going to explain the traditions as I would to another adult; it's up to you to make it appropriate for the pre-K set!
3. I've never been to Poland, so I'm hardly an expert. I've included links to Wikipedia articles throughout my post below to provide you with more background.
In my opinion, Poland is unique because Christmas Eve is a much bigger deal than Christmas Day. Polish families celebrate togetherness, tradition, and spirituality in a Christmas Eve meal called Wigilia (pronounced: "vyg-ILY-uh"); roughly, this means "Vigil Eve," and the meal begins as soon as the first star is sighted in the night sky.
Everyone gathers around the table, and on each plate is an oplatek, an unleavened wafer embossed with a religious image. Each guest offers their oplatki to every person around the table, and the exchange kisses and well wishes. Then the feasting begins! Though it varies by region, my family has always served nine dishes as part of the Wigilia feast. Some other serve 12, referencing Jesus's disciples. Traditional Polish dishes include pierogies, golumpki, and latke, but in our family we also served those alongside regional fare, such as grouper. :) Also, the courses are generally meat-free (though fish is okay) both as a form of abstinence prior to going to church and (traditionally) out of respect for the livestock.
Particularly religious families may also create an empty place at the table in honor of Jesus and will likely go to midnight mass, called pasterka, after the meal.
That's Wigilia in a nutshell. Though I stopped being Catholic long ago, I've always held on to this bit of family tradition because it takes the focus off of Christmas gift-giving and brings it back to the people sharing your table and the bond you share.
Though I know you hope to get personal stories about holidays around the world, Wikipedia does have an article about Christmas traditions worldwide.
Posted by V.Dub on 2004-11-25 21:28:05
Post Subject: Need to think of a present for my BF for Christmas! Help!!
Ok, I need some ideas for a Christmas gift for my boyfriend, Chris. We've been together for 6 months (Christmastime will be 7), so you would think that figuring out what to get him would be easy, but nooo. Let me know if you girls can help me out!
He is absolutely obsessed with:
-Hygeine (He's definitely a metrosexual. Ha-ha)
-Cleaning his car (although he is VERY picky about what brands/products he uses...)
-Movies and buying DVDs (Especially old horror movies...I swear he buys at least 2 DVDs each week)
-Vanilla (scent)
-James Dean (Chris actually looks A LOT like James Dean.... people stop him on the street and comment about his looks!)
Oh yeah, and he's 20, if that makes any difference.
That's a basic rundown of what he likes..... if I think of anything else, I'll add it on there, but hopefully someone out there will have some ideas and will help me!!
Posted by electrikcolor on 2005-11-29 15:50:55
Post Subject: diy christmas...
i need some christmas gift ideas that are fairly simple and hopefully clever. theyre for teenage boys. haha so you might have to really think
bah i just need some ideas! so far i have glittens (glove mittens. the fold over kind) and i need about 3 or 4 more ideas...thank you so much!
edit.
yes theyre for specific boys. hah
they like video games. a lot
they have a nickname for themselves "the cuties" lol
and theyre pretty into music. all of that. hardcore. screamo. fairly annoying at times stuff.
Posted by brdgt on 2005-04-11 20:10:31
Post Subject: Checkerboard from weekend knitting
I'm thinking of starting the checkboard in Weekend Knitting, has anyone tried it? Any cheaper substitutes (it calls for Mission Falls) or other suggestions?
I'm thinking it will be a great christmas gift for my mother and father in law because they have a camp up in the Adirondacks - they can take the checkboard out to their bench on the lake in it's handy little bag.
Posted by delqc on 2006-06-21 11:38:12
Post Subject:
xuli, I already talked to you about this, but I wanted to respond in-thread for the benefit of others ...
I have Air Canada luggage that has lasted INCREDIBLY well. I have two suitcases, one roller carry-on suitcase, and a smaller soft sided bag. I fly at least 2 times a year, sometimes 4 or 5, and I ahve had this luggage since Christmas 2001 (it was my Christmas gift from my parents when I decided to move accross the country).
The following characteristcs have helped it stay together:
- high quality, heavy-duty zippers
- the wheels are actually roller-blade wheels and are very durable
- the corners are all reinforced with rubber padding (kind of like a bumper car) and I think they must absorb most of the wear and tear
- the back has rubber lines which absorb most of the stress of it being tossed around'
- it's made of some kind of ripstop fabric which seems to prevent holes forming from hitches in the fabric
I use a large backpack when, well, backpacking or travelling to very rustic areas, but this luggage has lasted extrememly well, even for a super frequent flyer! My sis had American Tourister luggage which fell apart after three years.
Posted by Thrift Shop Romantic on 2007-08-21 11:28:52
Post Subject:
It IS a good topic-- and you've reminded me that some of the things I want to do, I had better get started on.
I do try to tailor the craft to the person's interests, so I've rewired and refurbished a vintage lamp for my best friend's mother...
I painted and French-ed up an Ikea corner display shelf for one of my friends.
I've woodburnt keepsake boxes to put gifts in, and also reupholstered dining chairs for someone who needed some.
And this year, it's not so much a Christmas gift as gift tags-- I have these Victorian Christmas postcards I want to scan and then decoupage onto thin wood rectangles to make gift tags and garland for around the house. THAT is going to take some time, I think.
Posted by bessiemae on 2006-10-27 18:19:43
Post Subject:
Today was a planned expense day. I used an expense reimbursement check. Cashed it at the bank. Somehow, I'm much, much more mindful with cash.:)
$36 at local snooty high end needlework shop for supplies for a Christmas gift and Antique Sampler and Needlework mag.
Used a coupon for BOGOF Indian lunch. My lunch was free, as my friend paid for her's. I left the tip. $6.
Gave my son $8 to attend a school harvest festival/dance. Tickets $2, but had to pay to purchase tickets for games/basketball/food. Came home with change.
Roasting a turkey for sandwiches, etc. for the weekend. Baking cookies. Maybe make an applesauce bread?
Carving pumpkins, tomorrow. Roasting seeds. College Town has the Halloween Party of the Region, tomorrow night. May take kids downtown to watch the show from our friends' theater lobby. 25K-30K revellers.
Posted by researchasaurus on 2004-09-14 15:16:20
Post Subject:
I have a bunch of mustard seed I got (relatively cheaply) at Penzey's Spices, and I want to make mustard too. There's a ton of recipes for it online, but I'd love to read yours too.
You can make mustard in many ways. I am particular to stone-ground spicy mustard myself. Especially on a fresh homemade pretzel!
It's a great idea to make homemade mustard as a Christmas gift. I'll have to keep that in mind, since most of the recipes suggest that you wait a couple weeks before eating it.
Posted by StrangeBirdHandmade on 2007-10-18 23:24:24
Post Subject:
I really like this topic, too!
I love making gifts for those close to me. Being primarily a jewelry designer, that is mostly what I make for the women around me (I''m constantly creating new designs, so they hopefully don''t get bored with their gifts!).
Fortunately, everyone in my close circle really appreciates handmade, but on occasion when I don''t have something ready in time for a gift, I will generally whip up a handmade card and put in a gift card to the local bookshop (I try to buy local as much as possible, instead of at Borders or something). It''s quick, but it still has a personal, handmade touch that makes it a bit more special and thoughtful.
This year, I am departing from the norm. I plan on doing portraits (in my own, curiously illustrated way) of everyone on my gift list - it is a dream of mine to be a children''s book illustrator, so I''m nurturing that dream with this idea.
This last question is the one that I dread - I typically don''t start anything Christmas-gift-related until the beginning of December (which, as all you crafty ladies know, is cutting it quite close). But, this year, I''m determined to begin my Christmas crafting after Halloween (because all my energies are focused on Halloween right now), and be done the week before Christmas. Good luck with that, right?
I loved reading everyone''s replies to this post - crafty communities are the best!
Posted by sheofthescepteredisle on 2005-05-10 12:57:05
Post Subject: What would you love to unwrap?
As last year, I am making all my Christmas gifts and cards. I like to do it through the year so I am not stressed and rushed, and can afford nice materials.
Last year I made some wintery gifts, like scarves and hot wheaty bags, and some holly leaf votive holders. I am quite happy making wintery things as well, but perhaps not holly leaf votives, and Christmassy things if that makes sense? So perhaps a votive holder that would look just as good in Summer.
Anyway, the point of it is, if you were unwrapping a handmade Christmas gift, what would you want to find in your package? I can knit (but not too complicated!) sew, crochet, I cook, papercraft, and am open to trying new things! Ideas please- I would be so grateful!
Posted by stprcsm on 2004-07-07 16:44:10
Post Subject: College Textbooks
I was looking for some deals on my college textbooks and I came across a seller on ebay who sells international editions. I got my organic chem book from him for less than $50 postage paid and the bookstore wants over $95 for a used copy. The book I got is brand new but soft cover and in black and white. The book is apparently page for page the same as the edition I need. Has anyone done anything like this for school books? Did you like the international edition? Will I be able to sell them back? or Sell them on Ebay? It seems to me the only risk is I cant get my money back if I drop the class where as the bookstore will give me 100% back for the first week. Last semester I paid $135 for a used textbook and when I sold it back to the bookstore I only got $40 back. That is so flipping frustrating. Right now my budget for books and school supplies is more than my transportation, entertainment, and christmas gift (ie crafting) money combined. Id rather spend my money on yarn than books.... please share your thoughts.
ps Ill take any moneysaving or other college words of wisdom
Posted by louisa on 2006-08-15 11:48:22
Post Subject: Mars bar Martini's
I just got back from a visit with an Australian friend of mine. (who runs a restaurant in Bangkok) One of his cocktails is a mars bar martini... Take 8 mars bars (I bought them in double packs which were cheaper) so four of the doubles.. melt them over low heat...and slowly pour the vodka in.. I stirred the whole time..with a silicone spatula..then.. pour it into a glass pitcher then back in the bottle..then into the fridge...IT IS SO YUMMY.... I think it would make a great Christmas gift.. I am not sure if it has to be refrigerated because of the high alcohol content...but I am keeping it into the fridge right now.. Actually I am sipping on a hot milk..with the mixture in it... I was going to add some expresso..but it is so yummy as it is.. I don't usually start off the day with a drink..but if I hadn't made the mix when I did... I would have had to buy more mars bars!!..
Posted by quornflour on 2006-11-30 18:31:25
Post Subject:
I have been maiking pot holders (those were for texasKelli) for hostess' (those for Thanksgiving hostess).
I have a few other people in mind that will get them as their Christmas gift.
I have also made a bunch of ornaments.
I made my sister some pajama pants, but I cannot post a picture of those yet, because she will find it.
I also made some sock monkeys (more here).
For my neice I am going to make her and the American Girl doll I am giving her matching pajamas.
I have a few other ideas up my sleeve but working them out, or not posting cause of folks reading...
Posted by HeatherC on 2005-10-20 13:48:08
Post Subject:
My sewing machine came to me from my grandma, and I keep all the little tools for it in my sewing box as my sentimental reminder.
I think this is the BEST Christmas gift I've heard of in a long, long time, and I think your daughter sounds like a fabulous lady. And YOU sound like a fabulous lady! PM your address and I'll send something.
Posted by s t a c i on 2005-07-02 02:30:59
Post Subject:
I tried that idea with my family this past year and they all laughed at me.
Thanks Slinkster...as much as I appreciate the advice other folks have given me, this is the sort of answer I was wondering about...
So they didn't appreciate the request? Did you just get normal store-bought gifts, anyway? Hmm...
Last night on the phone, my mom was describing how nicely these stained glass bowls she's making are coming out (she's using a kiln to melt the glass). So I said, 'those sound so cool, now you know what to make me for christmas!' She agreed that it woudl make a nice christmas gift. One down, two to go...
Posted by Tomico Revilak on 2008-02-20 14:04:53
Post Subject:
I have one that I got for a christmas gift a few years ago. It is a bit expensive but pretty reliable. Where I bought mine, they gave lessons on how to use them. There were so many things I had not even thought of before the classes. I don't have the model you are interested in, though. After i bought one, my sister bought one, then we bought the next one up for our mother-in-law for her birthday. (My sister is married to my husband's brother.) On the other hand, my only comparison is a machine that was old when I got it and had used for 20 years. It jummed repeatedly and made me start to hate sewing. I was in heaven when I got the nice little Viking. : )
Posted by cosmosgrrl on 2005-11-26 13:56:51
Post Subject:
Oh yeah, December is a magical month. When I was little, it was all about baking and I have carried that tradition forward into my own family life. This morning, I pulled out all my cookie recipes and have been going through them one by one, deciding which ones we'll do this year. You must understand, I have literally thousands of cookie recipes that I have collected since I was a kid, so the selection process takes some time. My son and daughter get to pick 5 or 6 recipes, and I pick 5 or 6. Then we make a shopping list, which I will gradually buy over the next week or so. Beginning next weekend, we will start baking...and baking....and baking. By the time we're done, I'll have a freezer and a garage full of cookies, all packaged up and ready to give away. The weekend before Christmas, we sit down and make a list of everyone who gets a cookie delivery. Neighbors, pharmacists, co-workers, friends, family, the folks at the grocery store and doctor's offices...pretty much anyone who has helped us through the year.
The only downside to this is that it seems like over the last couple years, everyone has been giving cookies as gifts, so the impact of my cookie deliveries has been sort of diluted. My kids and I were talking about it this morning and were trying to think of ways we could make our cookies stand out. My daughter came up with a really cool idea that will definitely work for some people. My FIL is a big garage sale buyer and he's always buying me glassware, china, pottery, etc. So, Lizzy suggested we use some of the pretty glasses collecting dust in my dining room and fill them with cookies. They won't hold a lot -- maybe half a dozen small, or three big cookies -- but then the recipient will have a pretty piece of glass or china to keep. We're going to try it and see how it's received.
My daughter loves to decorate so that has become an big thing with my family. We do every room. Last year, she had her whole room strung with lights. It was beautiful. Her favorite decoration, though, is the creche that belonged to my mother. The figures are all handpainted papier mache made in Germany in the early 1900s. The story my mom used to tell us was that she would receive a new figure as a Christmas gift every year when she was little. The manger was handcarved by her godfather, who was a carpenter and wood carver. We always have to leave that for last, and setting it up is *serious business* for Elizabeth.
CraftyChica, thanks for starting this thread. Can't wait to hear where everyone else finds their December magic.
Posted by pudding on 2005-02-02 06:36:59
Post Subject:
the time traveler's wife (if you're in the mood for sap)
Oh, how can you say this? This was the one book I read this month and I loved it! :-) It was a Christmas gift - I thought it was lovely. I love when books are very satisfying.
I think setting a reading goal is an incredibly excellent idea! Time seems to drift and I often find myself thinking "Oh, I really wish I read more, I just love the pleasure I get from reading, oh, I used to always read a lot" etc., etc. I think I let work and other things sidetrack me. I think setting a goal will give me a little direction and focus!
Brdgt, you read 9 books in January - 2 a week! Inspiring!! I think my goal will be 50 books between now and the end of the year.
Where do you (everyone) get your books? My local library is quite hopeless. There are a couple of decent 2nd hand bookshops around but to read voraciously may become expensive if I need to buy most of my books from bookshops.
P.S While I was contenplating a goal, I remembered why I tend to read in fits and starts - I get consumed by books - sleep, eating, life tends to suffer. My husband is exactly the same way and I think that's one of the reasons I married him.
Posted by Karla on 2004-06-18 16:23:01
Post Subject:
You really need an oven with a little window so that you can watch the dinks shrink. Otherwise, they may become warped and crippled. One such casualty was my David Lee Roth shrinky dink. Fortunately, I had a very resourceful friend who convinced me to stop sobbing and make it into a night light. I just removed the shield from a night light at the dollar store and glued Diamond Dave in it's place. I also stuck some felt on the base and glued on some rhinestones to make it especially glam. It was the most glorious Christmas gift I gave that year! As with all creative endeavors, it helps to be flexible.
Posted by teagrrl on 2004-12-13 07:10:44
Post Subject:
i wouldn't re-gift something from someone close to me that i know they put a lot of thought into. and i don't re-gift things to my family members. if i think they would want it, i'll just tell them someone gave it to me and ask if they want to take it.
When I read Stella's post I realised that those are my opinions exactly. I don't regift stuff to family either (possibly to cousins and the like - but not to parents or sisters), if I receive something that's perfect for, say, my sister, I just ask her if she wants it (not in front of the gift-giver obviously...) and if she does, she can take it. Last Christmas I did regift a pair of socks to my mom - we'd had an "ugly gift" thing (white elephant? we were supposed to bring gifts we'd got but didn't like) with my class and one of the things I "won" was a pair of socks that played "Jingle Bells" if you pushed a button on them. I knew my mother would appreciate them so I gave them to her as an additional Christmas gift, she did know it was a re-gift though, and I gave her a "real" gift as well.
Any generic-type gifts (like allergy-inducing shower gels and stuff...they're generic to begin with, so why should I feel guilty for not using them when the person who got them for me didn't give the gift much thought to begin with?) that I wouldn't use anyway go into my "gift box" where I keep stuff I can give as presents. I just have to remember who I got the gift from to avoid embarrassing situations... I don't get a lot of gifts I don't like though, so I don't have to re-gift a lot.
As for re-using gift wrap, I think it's OK as long as it's not obvious. I save particularly nice papers (not your run-of-the-mill santa ones) with the intention to re-use...but only if they're in good condition so the recipient can't tell the paper is "old". Usually I can't part from the papers once they're in my "pretty papers" box though...but that's another topic. Crossing out names on the gift tag...no. That would only be OK as a joke, if the recipient has that kind of humour (say, my mom wouldn't mind).
Posted by sweetpea on 2005-09-22 13:38:52
Post Subject:
It'd be nice if I did so well with crafting that I could hire someone to come in and do the big weekly clean for me.
Here's an example of my sloppiness and laziness: My folks give me some really nice luggage for birthday/christmas gift. I have nowhere to keep it unless I do a serious closet cleaning. So it's in the hall. Ben points out that I'm using it as a shelf now for stuff; I point out that what I"ve placed on it is actually trash. That's right, I have five nesting trash bins. Arrgh, if I'd only empty the closet and get the ball rolling...
Posted by girlthursday on 2004-12-16 11:00:12
Post Subject:
aaack.... me too, people in my group...things running late, but I'm not backing out. CDs will be coming. Consider it a surprise post-Christmas gift. :)
Posted by DesignerSara on 2005-03-07 17:42:52
Post Subject:
Well I got the super duper shrink plastic and now I just have to decide what to make first.. Christmas gift tags.. thats a great idea. I might have to do that.
Posted by kindarana on 2007-01-03 23:29:03
Post Subject:
((artgeek))
You make me seem petty to go on with my rant... but here it is anyway.
Dear Mom,
I am returning your Christmas gift. I know you decided that taking my personalized license plates and turning them into a purse would be a great gift. But those were my license plates, and getting someone to craft them up should have been my choice.
So here's that purse with my name on it, you can keep it and have everyone ask you about it. It will be a great opportunity for you to brag about all the great accomplishments you've made through me.
~Kindarana
p.s. And to think that before I opened that delayed Xmas package I was about to call you and tell you how proud I was of you for finally putting the cat to sleep after putting him through two years of chemo.
Posted by sarabell on 2005-03-07 13:01:08
Post Subject:
i have a package of plain shrinky dink stuff that my sister gave me when she was purging her craft supplies. i'm assuming you can probably get it at any craft place. the only think i didn't like about it was that it is completely smooth, so you have to sand the surface if you want to use pencils like the ones we used back in the day. made some cool christmas gift tags with it a couple years back - just used permanent marker and those metallic paint pens. they took me back to the days of my old smurf shrinky dinks!
reminding me of days of those newfangled 'outliner pens' and colorforms!
think i'll have to do some shrinkydinking today.
Posted by Nancy Flynn on 2006-12-12 17:58:49
Post Subject:
oooh! i like this thread. let's see
*Vosages hot chocolate(an early xmas gift from a friend) with a homemade marshmallow(I'm a copycat, but really, what could be happier than cocoa)
*a homemade christmas gift i've been thinking about making for months turning out even cuter than i expected (yay)
*planning to make a roast chicken for dinner
*new little flowers springing up on my cyclamen plant
*talking to my mom on the phone
*no-iron shirts all crisp coming out of the dryer
Oh, is that 6? Anyway, it may be cliche, but noticing the tiny happy things in the day really makes for a better life generally.
