Are you in Holiday Hell?

Why is it that the most wonderful time of the year usually leaves us feeling stressed out, overwhelmed, run down and over ran?  Because we allow it to happen.  

This past Sunday, Bear was an angel (how ironic) in the church children's Christmas program.  After they sang their little hearts out, the pastor spoke on Peace.  He even asked if there was anyone feeling a bit overwhelmed from trying to do it ALL?!  

THAT is when it HIT ME!  I do NOT have to 'do it all'.  That's right.  Go ahead and put me on your 'naughty' list if you must.  Or you can even call me Scrooge.

However, I've decided Christmas will come and go regardless if I miss a few activities.  It will still be Christmas morn even if I drastically shorten my Christmas shopping list and have decided that I really just can't get into the commercialism side of this holiday.  

Don't go freaking out on me yet!  We still decorated our Christmas tree, will be hanging the stockings and even have two small white trash blow ups outside the farm house (Santa and a Reindeer).  Bear also attended his 3rd annual local Christmas parade and visit with Santa.
Plus 'Sam' our Elf on the Shelf has arrived and is spreading a bit of elf antics.  He doesn't misbehave because what would that teach a 5 year old little boy?  Sam is enjoying the simple things in life too; like camping out under the tree.

Along with having a bit of elfish silliness.

Usually each year I have a huge list of crafty gifts to make for family and friends.  This year the list is shorter and simplified.  Unlike year's past where I have made many homemade/handmade gifts:  For 5 inexpensive ideas visit HERE, and a thrifty quick gift idea for anyone, then there are also the bit more time involved projects of last Christmas.  
Today is my last day of work for 2012.  I am lucky that I work at a local University where I will have a week's vacation and a week of holidays.  So next week there will be a bit of baking and crafting going on at the farm.  Along with attending the Christmas party at Bear's school.   
The difference for me this year is that I have given myself permission to not feel the pressure of doing it all by deciding that less really IS more.  Also, slowing down to enjoy the experiences we choose to participate in.  I do not want to be in Holiday Hell.  
I can go sit in the barn with AnnaBelle (our jersey calf) and reflect on what it must have been like for Mary to give birth in a stable surrounding by animals.  Maybe I should get the family together, along with hot chocolate...go to the barn with Rosie (the jersey milk cow), her calf, chickens, turkeys and barn kitty to share the real Christmas story.  Sounds like a wonderful family night to me, far removed from the hustle and bustle!

“Focus is often a matter of deciding what things you’re not going to do.” – John Carmack

Want to read more of Mom's doing less and enjoying more this season?
Visit with Jules over at Pancakes & French Fries or Rita with her post on Celebrating a Simply Holiday.

How are you finding more PEACE this holiday season?

Homemade Christmas Gifts Review

Since the gifts have been unwrapped, I can share what I've been working on the last several weeks.

The HIT of this Christmas were these:

Photo blocks for family.  I selected photos specific to the person along with other family photos. They were simply painted black with craft paint, then Mod Podge for attaching the photos and sealing the blocks.

A note about these if you decide you want to make them.  We did NOT use 4x4 posts because that wood is pressure treated and could eventually ruin the photos.  Mine are made with 1x4's wood glued together and then cut to size.

For the women I made felt flowers from this awesome tutorial at Creative Cain Cabin.

Plus I made a braided fabric necklace for my college age niece.  Here is a tutorial on the fabric necklaces, however I didn't sew mine together.  I knotted the ribbon ties to the ends.

I plan to make a ton more of felt flowers for myself!  I LOVE them and they are adorable in all colors with outfits.

Along with the above, I also made 4 teacup candles.

Unfortunately due to the fact I was finishing these up at the last minute, I only took a photo while waiting on the wax to dry.  Bummer!  They had adorable matching saucer plates that I glued the cups atop to complete the gift.  This was my VERY FIRST time with candle making and it was fun.  I scented them with sugar cookie smell so they will be perfect in the kitchen.  I'm sure I will be making more of these in the future.

I personally LOVE homemade useful items and were thrilled that these were appreciated.

Did you gift Homemade this year?  I'd love to see!

Leave me a link and I will check it out.  Of course, Pinterest inspired several of mine and you can find my favorite pins HERE.

Thrifty Gift for Anyone on Your List

I love making neat gifts for the people on my list: family, friends and co-workers.

These would also be a great little gift for a teacher, pastor and teens.

I employ student assistants in my office at the University. And each received...

Book 'thongs' (or bookmarks).

This nifty gift is usable, thrifty, easy, quick and you can make it to match personalities.

Here is what you need to whip out one for any reader on your list:

A book - to measure the length.

Psst - I ended up not needing to use the needles

Waxed Linen cord ($1.99 from Hobby Lobby)

Beads (tube and other assorted sizes)

A charm (for each book thong: pick one to match the person)

I also plan to use a few sea shells on the bottom of mine, in place of charms.

Scissors

Clear nail polish

First - measure the cord in a book, leaving extra to thread your beads and for knots to hold the beads in place, along with the charm on the end.

2.  Tie your selected charm on the end of the cord.

3. 'Seal' the knot with your clear nail polish.

4. Add assorted beads.

5. Tie a knot at the top of this beaded line to hold the beads in place.

6. Nail polish the knot.

7.  Add more beads to the other end of the cord.

8.  Tie a knot under the beads to hold at the 'top' part of the cord.  Don't forget to measure this section in your book.

9. Nail polish the knot and cut off excess cord.

Seriously it's really easy and they are fast to make!

Pair with a new book, gift card to a bookstore or do what I did for my students;

insert them in a Christmas card with a personal message.

I used wooden beads on the guy gifts.  A bit more 'manly'.

What homemade gifts are you making this year?

Linking in to various crafty blog parties this week, see the links in my blog party tab at the top of my page.

Wood 'Chip' Christmas Ornaments

When I had the wood cut for my log candle votives. There were little pieces leftover.

So I gathered up my supplies to make a few ornaments to go on our small tree.

I simply stamped the wood with StazOn ink.

Then hotglued on some twine to the back.

A quick and easy project that resulted in FREE ornaments for our tiny kitchen tree.

You could make an entire set of these as a gift idea!

Other ornaments are mini cookie cutters tied on with twine and some mini gingerbread 'cookies'.

A bit of raffia for garland and pinecones stuck on branches.

I've always wanted a tiny tree in the kitchen. This one is really simply decorated in naturals. 

Nothing fancy, but it makes me smile.  I love that bit of Christmas shine on my kitchen island. 

I am happy with my 'new' totally free decorated tree!

Sharing this in several great link parties, check out the blog parties tab at the top.

For tons of other Christmas craft inspiration hop on over to this Holiday party:

Have you made ornaments this year?  Leave me a link in my comments! I'd love to check them out.

"Log" Candle Votive

Last weekend I spotted something on HGTV that inspired me to whip out these:

Wood log candle votives. A VERY inexpensive gift idea!

These began here ~

The log pile.

So I headed to the barn workshop and cut the wood to 3 different lengths.

Ok so *I* didn't actually do the cutting.  ;-)  Notice that I also cleaned up and staged the pic?

Only the best for my blog buddies.

Then there needed to be a hole for the tea light candle.

Another big tool and a bit of whining, pleading, threatening, begging for some assistance.

The wood drill thingie is 1 1/2" bit, in case some of you want to make these.

Cuts the perfect size hole for tea lights.

Now if you had to purchase those big ole machines, these might not be frugal!

I had tea lights and the wood.

So these were FREE!!!

I just love the SHINE they add to our Merry Mantle.

Guess what?! To make the logs level we ended up with some of these ~

Which inspired me for another upcoming project/gift idea!

Sharing on several crafty blogs, so check out ALL the weekly links on my Blog Parties tab at the top of the page.  There is SO much inspiration in Blog land.
I'm also entering:

A Snugly Gift

LOOK what I recieved in the mail this week!

A snugly gift and I don't mean that wrap around blanket.

Christmas came early for me.  ;-)

A beautiful hand knit cowl from Kristi at The Speckled Dog blog.

It is SO very soft and warm.  Plus the perfect color for me!

Kristi is a sweetheart and offered up a contest on her Facebook page for one of these.

Instead of one, she sent 4 fans their choice.  How awesome!

Kristi sells these lovelies at her Etsy shop, so you too could have one.

We are like sister's separated at birth! well, except I don't knit. ha!

Check out how crafty she is...

and she shops the Goodwill, putting together clever outfits for her teen at a fraction of the cost.

Total J. Crew knockoff outfit for less than $20!

Swoon.

Ya know I love me some Goodwill shopping.

So be sure to check out The Speckled Dog and say "HI" to Kristi.

It is 30 degrees this morning in Georgia, PERFECT for cowl wearing.

The gals at the office are gonna be jealous this week!

Thanks again Kristi, I LOVE it.

Now can you teach me to knit? ;-)

Homemade Holiday Gift ideas

I was featured by sweet Robin at...!



when I linked up my post from last Holiday season on homemade gifts.

I do plan on making a few gifts this year and hopefully will be sharing them over the next few weeks.

Most will be small, simple and most important this year...frugal!

One of the items I made last year was a HUGE hit and will make a repeat appearance on this years gift giving list.

In case you want to whip some up yourself, here is a quick 'review'.

Silky luxurious lotion on a dollar store budget.

You can see the full tutorial and 'secret' recipe HERE.

Are you making gifts? or have a favorite homemade one?

Please share in a comment and I will stop by to check EACH one out. :-)



DIY Frugal Flower Arrangement

I always get excited when magazines come in the mail!

For years, subscriptions were a luxury item.

After getting lucky, I won Country Living last year from Lakeitha at Home to Three Duncan Boys

Thanks again Lakeitha!

Once a month, I have a little get away time to dream of possibilities. 

And find a few new project ideas.

Country Living had an idea.

See that title? Big Style, little budget?

I searched all over Goodwill, yard sales and the flea market for the 'right' bottles.

To no avail.

Finally I settled on some old jars I already had.

A bit of twine and some clearance flowers ($3.99).

As I flipped through my magazine this month.

A sweet photo leaped off the page and said:

Sherri, you can do this!

Image from Country Living

Does it really matter that my jars aren't the same size?

Or that they used to have jelly and pizza sauce in them?

They still brighten up the room.

A ten minute DIY project for under $5.

Thanks to Country Living for a bit of SHINE on my kitchen table

to welcome me home.

Not sure it fits into the Big Style category, but it sure fit my budget!

With Mother's Day coming up, this would make a really thrifty gift too.

I will be linking in to a few parties this week.

You can find them HERE.

Ringing in 2010 !

What are your plans for ringing in the New Year?

Going to a party?

Hosting at your house?

Need a nifty, quick hostess gift?

There is still time with this idea from Stacie

at Park Avenue

A Holiday Potpourri recipe that is sure to make the house

smell delicious!

And if you need an easy snack for tonight

or tomorrow while watching football...try her

Easy Cheese Straws

Staying in with the kids?

How about a fun Countdown idea?

You could put together these Countdown Goodie Bags

with items from the house or a quick stop by

the Dollar Store today.

Thanks to Hoosier Homemade for sharing this!

Even my teen drama queen would LOVE these.

Since I seem to have a case of the crud, complete with a nasty cough

I suspect I will be ringing in the New Year cuddled up on the sofa.

That is NOT a bad thing.

Was hoping to see a bit of this...

Instead we are having more rain.

Working up a post, by request, for some Menu Planning ideas.

Trying to enjoy the last few days of my vacation, before work

kicks into high gear on the 4th.

And really REALLY (did I say really?) looking forward to this New Year!

Happy New Year to you and yours!

See you in 2010.

Got Gifts? Idea #5

This one's for the Girls!

WARNING:  Co-workers and Gal pals may want to skip this one!

You will spoil your 'surprise'.  ;-)

This is a super secret 'recipe' for a lotion

that gets RAVE reviews per Coloradolady

In fact, I picked the idea up from THIS POST on her blog!

I knew right away that I wanted to try this for the gals on my list.

Phoned a friend.

"Please save baby food jars for me!"

Then gathered up the other supplies.

A quick trip to the Dollar General is all you need!

3 ingredients.

A large store brand Baby lotion (baby or shea and cocoa butter)

The large (7.5 oz) store Petroleum Jelly

and an 8 oz Vitamin E skin cream.

Ms. Coloradolady says

First put in the Vitamin E

then the petroleum jelly

last is the baby lotion.

Make sure you scrape ALL of it out!

Then whip it up!

Yep, that is my hand mixer!

You want it to be really smooth, like icing. Keep whipping!

This one mixture made 9 baby food jars of lotion.

I had already spray painted the lids.

Glued old lace from my stash on the jars.

Added a touch of raffia.

Then used a few of my old scrapbook goodies to embellish the lids.

The only thing I purchased were the 3 items from Dollar General.

This little treat ended up at a cost per jar of LESS THAN

50 CENTS!

These would make cute any time gifts.

I will be linking this into some blog parties, cause this idea is just TOO good to miss!

Did you miss the previous ideas?

Gift idea #1 (click here for tutorial)

Recycled dip/sauce jar candles

Gift idea #2 ~ Tile Coasters

Gift idea #3 ~ Nature lover twig frame

Gift idea #4 ~ Candy treats (using recycled coffee drink jars)

I will be linking into some great blog parties...
 
Frugal Friday GIFT IDEA at Life as Mom