We've got to get started! We are celebrating Christmas and birthdays with my family Dec. 4!!!! And we will be handing out birthday gifts to DH's family Nov. 20. I am giving Christmas-y things to those with birthdays before Christmas. They probably hate that, but, oh, well...
I am making whole wheat pancake mix and wrapping the bag in holiday cloth and tying on a santa hat pancake mold I got on clearance from Crate and Barrel.
I am also giving out Christmas mugs (from garage sales) filled with chai tea bags from my co-op(Frontier).
For my niece (3), I am making a craft box with colored pasta (if it ever goes on sale for cheap), colored rice, string, paper, glue, markers and crayons I bought on sale during the school sales.
My favorite thing we are doing is a video tape of stories and songs for our niece and nephews. DH plays guitar, and I am going to get DS to read a story (he is just learning to read, and I think it is so cool!), and DH and I will read some stories, too. I'm hoping to get started on this soon.
For my sister-in-law (19), I am making a big batch of Monster Cookies in a basket or else a gallon glass jar (a local burger joint near my IL's sells their olive jars for 50 cents each; I bought a bunch last summer). This is a special treat because I used to make these every Christmas and I stopped when I discovered I am allergic to peanut butter. I will include the recipie, and maybe she can start making them every year
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I made a bracelet for my niece (13). I'm trying to find something neat to give her that maybe is "empowering," but I don't know what that would be.
I'm still trying to figure out what to give my nephew (15). I did order some Lance Armstrong Live Strong bracelets, so I'm going to give him one of those, but I need something more....
We are giving framed pictures to our parents and grandparents.
I think that's it. I was going to make some big tote bags from burlap coffee bean bags that our local bagel/beanery gives away when they roast beans, but I broke my sewing machine (I don't think it was meant to sew burlap)...so much for my crafty Christmas....