Archive for the ‘Christmas’ Category

Congratulations to Susan, the winner of the Cookie Dough Exchange Kit! Susan, please email Kimberly with your info, and she will get this out to you. Thanks to everyone for the great new recipes!

What do you get that person who has everything?  Or maybe she doesn’t have everything, but she has the means to buy for herself what she wants.  How do you choose something original and  meaningful, that’s in your budget, yet she wouldn’t go out and just buy for herself?

How about a goat?

Last year, my kids gave a goat to a child in need, on my behalf.  Really, I didn’t need another blouse, new slippers or even those really cool earring I had my eye on.  When it’s in the right perspective of how much we really have, when there are people struggling for basic necessities, I was so thankful for the gift they gave. (and come on, what mother wouldn’t be proud of her offspring for making such a philanthropic choice that of course, she somehow had a part in through their upbringing!)

Here is a lesser known option that I only recently become aware of through my home church, Church on the Hill in San Jose. Two of our pastors, Scott and Elliot, traveled to Nicaragua to visit some sites where Compassion International is active, and where many of our church members have sponsored children. On that trip, they were introduced to a forgotten community, Bonete 7, left by the government to fend for themselves in an extremely remote area. (you can see more photos and information here on the facebook page) Our church is raising money so they can build a well with clean drinking water.

This is their current well.  It’s a little below ground level, and has no cover.  There are people and animals that live here.  This area is prone to flooding, and when it does, everything “left” by them is washed into the well.  The water is far from clean.

This is a photo of a well that would provide clean water to the village:

If you’d like to buy a part of a well for someone, you can give online, and choose “Bonete 7″ in the drop down menu.

Happy Shopping!

For this week on the blog, I am sharing some of the “different” places I will be shopping this Christmas. Trying to stay on a budget, but get something cool for the people I love is always a challenge. Here are some of the things that I love.

I met Kristine at a retreat I did in Lake Tahoe – she was that creative genius that put together all of the hands-on worship experiences. (If you are ever planning an event, she is a great person to steal ideas from. I had seen some of her large-scale sculptures online, and even got to see on up close and personal at their church in N.Ca, but didn’t know that she did custom orders for smaller, more “at home pieces”.

So these are something that I have asked for for Christmas (the letters K&R) Love them. And if Santa doesn’t bring them, I am breaking into a piggy bank come January.

I asked Kristine to share about how she got into wire art:

My wire sculptures are a result of inspired amusement, creative exploration, and experimentation. My work with wire began about 15 or more years ago as I was inspired by the idea of transforming a straight line into something of volume. My main creative focus involves creating large-scale sculptures of the human form. Small pieces like the ones listed in my gift shop came from simply playing around and keeping my hands busy when resting from work on my bigger pieces. About two years ago I had a dream that I wanted to sprinkle little bits of my work all over the world. As a result I spent more time making smaller pieces that were affordable and easy to ship.You can see my large scale pieces on my website.

Men…they can be difficult to shop for.  You can only buy so many ties or golf themed ideas.
Sylvia writes:
Hi…do you have any wonderful ideas for the hubbys ? I am always looking for the special thing for Jim ! Usually he loves anything…but come on…there must be something guys just love ! I AM getting him a massage ! That is one good thing ! And he asked for a new watch & wallet..(done !)…hmmm….not a wire letter…for him ! lol
The biggest hits with Roger have been:

Logitech Remote He loved it – $199 at Best Buy.

Tivo High Def Recorder.

HP Mini Computer – my son loved it!

A space heater (because that is as close to curling up next to a fire as Roger can get at our fireplaceless house…

I don’t know if Jim is a techie, but if so, Wired magazine is great and if he is a tinkerer, then Maker magazine rocks.

….and a guy can never have too many Leathermans.

The first year I wasn’t working full-time at Christmas, my husband and I tightened our belts in every way possible, including trimming our Christmas gift budget.

As I tried to figure out how to still spread holiday cheer, it dawned on me the most meaningful presents I had received weren’t things that could be purchased at a mall: the black-and-white picture of our son, Justen, in an antique frame; a rosebush my friend Barbara helped me plant in our backyard; a series of Bible verses my friend Katie put in bright yellow frames; my grandmother’s recipe box my mom gave me after Grandma Edna passed away.

I realized then, I too could come up with thoughtful gifts, yet stay within our Christmas budget. This week, I’ll highlight 20 inexpensive gift ideas that convey the love of Christ in a special way to others.

With a little prayer, creativity, and thoughtful planning, you’ll have gifts that will be both lovingly given and joyfully received.

1. Now You’re Cookin’. People constantly look for new dishes to put on their table. Why not compile the recipes you’re famous for into a hand-made cookbook? For an extra treat, add a jar of homemade salsa to inspire the future cook.

2. Two-for-Two. One Christmas, my friend Kimberly, who lives 400 miles away, gave me a one-year devotional with this note: “I bought two copies of this book—one for me and one for you. Even though we live apart, we’ll always be on the same page.”

3. Order It Up. Order prints of your favorite snapshots from throughout the year. When I scroll through the pictures on my computer, I jot down a note of who gets what. With many retailers offering online uploads, you can upload your pictures  and  pick up the prints when they are ready. One year I came across a great picture of my mom and daughter. While still at the drugstore, I found a frame for it. Instantly, I had the perfect Christmas gift for my hard-to-buy-for mom.

4. Memory Makers. Here’s another way to maximize prints: Take a selection of pictures and slip them into a memory book to send to faraway relatives. Sure you could email them, or send a link to a digital album, but there’s nothing like flipping through photos in hand. This also allows people who don’t use email or the computer to see your family. Costco offers 4×6” prints for as little as 13¢ each!

What ideas do you have to share?

Today I continue my list of thoughtful, yet thrifty Christmas gifts.

5. Reading Room. For your child’s teacher, try an age-appropriate book signed by your child to add to the in-class library.

6. This Is Your Life. When my friend Linda turned 50, her best friend gave her the issue of Life magazine from the week she was born. This inexpensive gift she scooped up at an antique store was the hit of the party.

7. Letter Brigade. My friend Bill wanted to give his wife, Patti, something special while staying within their newlywed budget. On the sly, Bill contacted Patti’s closest friends and relatives and asked them to write letters to her about why she’s special to them. Bill had the letters mailed to his office, then wrapped them up to give Patti on Christmas.

8. Coupon Craze. My friend Tokoshi is a genius at flower arranging. As a gift to me, she printed coupons redeemable for floral arranging lessons taught by her. She put the coupons in a bag with floral scissors and a list of other items I needed to bring to “school”. Whether your coupons are to teach your niece to bake or your mom to scuba dive, you’ll be giving two gifts in one: the lessons and your time.

More thrifty but thoughtful gift ideas!

9. Plastic or Paper? Both! Give your child’s teacher a gift card to your local bookstore, coffee shop, or café, along with a note of appreciation. In Proverbs 12:25, it says, “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.”

10. Game Time. Age-appropriate games are great to play in the classroom on rainy days. Plus, they often go on sale at rock-bottom prices in the weeks after Thanksgiving.

11. Subscribe Today. Do you have a budding shutterbug in the family? Show your support for your child’s passion by giving him or her a subscription to a photography magazine. Buy the current issue off the newsstand and wrap it up with a homemade coupon good for photo printing.

12. Trinkets for Teachers. Disposable cameras, roller-ball pens, note cards, and stamps are often expenses that come out of the teacher’s pocket. Say out loud, “My child’s teacher does not want another mug!”

What was the best gift you received that was under $10?

I’m all out of alliteration for my list of budget ideas, but these are just as good as the others-

13. Custom Costuming. Stretch your children’s imaginations. Decorate a box to hold cast-off uniforms, jewelry, hats, and shoes to create a treasure chest of dress-up clothes.

14. Play It Again. Make a recording of yourself reading your child’s favorite book so he can hear it over and over. This gift will be appreciated by your child as well as the baby sitter! Many .mp3 players have a “record” feature or you could make a CD with your computer.  (Ask an older child or a neighbor teen to show you if you don’t know how.)

15. Auto Shop. For the car lover, grab a bucket and fill it with car-care items: chamois, wheel cleaner, glass cleaner, leather conditioner, and an air freshener. Many of these items can be purchased in “trial size” bottles at an auto parts shop. (If you’re lucky, you may get your car cleaned, too.)

16. Personal Shopper for Dad. Offer to shop for the women in your dad’s life. If your father’s anything like mine, this is the best gift you can give him—and your mom!

A week of (virtual) shopping and we made it! Are you inspired?  Do you have some new ideas either from my list, or from the great comments? Are any of you actually done shopping? (I know there are always you highly organized ones lurking out there)

Let’s finish up the list!

17.  Cherished Moments. One Christmas, my friend Vikki received a “Memory Jar” from her friend Dawn just before Dawn moved out of state. On pieces of paper Dawn wrote her favorite memories they’d shared and put them in a decorative jar. Now, even though they’re apart, they keep filling the jar by adding things they continue to remember or new memories they make on trips to visit each other.

18. Family Field trip. Give a family membership to a local museum or zoo. Be sure to find out what special events and benefits exist for members: a special newsletter for kids, members-only hours, discounts on programs and at the gift shop.

19. Total Control. A master remote control will let your guy have reign over the stereo, DVD player, VCR, TV, and surround sound all at once. There are many basic remotes that will do the job for under $20.

20. Baby Blessing. When our kids were young, our neighbors prepaid our baby sitter for five hours. We had a wonderful night out, and our kids had a great night in with their favorite baby sitter. If  that’s still out of budget for you, do the baby-sitting yourself.

Let’s face it.  This is a rough economy.  “They” keep saying the recession is over.  Try telling that to people with no jobs or who are behind on their bills. Movie tickets are fun or a gift certificate for a manicure is nice, but sometimes, practical gifts are more appreciated and necessary.  What good are movie tickets if you have no gas to get to the theater?  That manicure might actually stay nice for a long time when there’s no food to prepare, but well, you get the point.

Consider a Safeway Gift Card.  This enables your gift recipient to choose just what they want, which might be simply what they need.

Another idea is one of my favorite sites, featured on my blog before.

Grass fed beef.  Yum.  Practical, nutritious, delicious. You meet a practical need by providing some food, but you are meeting that “you-are-awesome-here’s-a-really-cool-gift” target as well.  My favorite place to buy? Open Space Meats.

How about you?  Do you have any enjoyable  gifts that can also meet a need?

Playing a little holiday game here – tell me what your holiday musts are in the following categories:

Movies

Cookies

Traditional Family Gifts

Food

Outing

.

Here are my five:

Movie – It’s a Wonderful Life

I was watching this movie on lazy Saturday afternoons before Hallmark started producing ornaments with George Bailey’s face on them. It is the best redemption story out there and you can’t get through the movies without crying –even if you are a big strong guy (right Roger?)

.

Cookies – Mexican Wedding Cakes/Russian Tea Cakes

My mom makes these yummy-powdered-sugar-balls of love every single year and they ARE Christmas. Check out this post on how to make these extra special cookies.

.

Traditional Family Gifts- Chocolate Orange

It’s easy. Whack ‘em on a table and eat. Yum. If Santa doesn’t get one for every kid (and Roger still considers himself a kid) I am in big trouble.

.

Food – Broccoli Casserole

I love me some Broccoli Casserole – a long-standing tradition in our family. Mayo, condensed soup, and Ritz crackers.  And now, I pass my family’s white trash heritage on to you:

.

Broccoli Casserole

2 Eggs – Beaten

2 T Green Onions – chopped

1 Can Celery Soup

1 Cup Mayonnaise

2 boxes frozen broccoli

8 oz grated cheddar cheese

1 tube Ritz Crackers

1 cube butter

.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Mix the first four ingredients in a bowl.

Par boil broccoli and drain.

Mix the broccoli into the first four ingredients. Pour into an 8×8 casserole dish.

Sprinkle the cheese on top of the casserole.

Melt the butter.

Crush the tube of Ritz crackers and mix with the melted butter. Cover over the casserole.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

.

Outings – Looking at Christmas lights while listening to Trans-Syberian Orchestra

Here is a map of Christmas lights around the Bay Area. For all my homies. However, almost every paper in the country has a guide on their website.

.

OK – now it’s your turn – tell me what you need to make it Christmas…