Absolutely! We love Christmas. We already have a plan for our outdoor lights and decorations. Ems and I are making ornaments for our tree. We had to get a new tree since ours died last year. The dog did it in. LOL I haven't purchased any gifts yet.
Wow, I can't believe it is so soon. Ohio Mom you really made it sound soon by how many paychecks. Being in AK we don't have any of our decorations so we will be decorating with all homemade ornaments. Lastyear we made most our gifts and plan to do so this year too. I bought material yesterday to make some table runners. I will be quilting them.
We give homemade salsa, jam, jellies and this year we will throw in some homemade jerky and popcorn that we grew in the garden this year. Everyone enjoys a basket of goodies that you can't buy in the store. We have also made fleece blankets and put them in a basket with beauty items for the girls and a movie for the boys in the family. I pick things up through the year for Christmas gifts and pay cash as we go that way it is spaced out over the year instead of one big bill at the end. Another thing we put together for Christmas was a cookbook with all of the recipes that the family loves--usually dishes I would bring to a function and would be asked for the recipe for. I called it "By Request" and put crocheted towels, washcloths, and other kitchen items in the basket. Everyone enjoyed it and it was very inexpensive to make.
We are also putting together cookbooks for our oldest girls. They like a lot of our recipes and a lot of newer ones that have been given to us. The oldest loves to cook and we figure the middle daughter will one day put it to use!LOL
Last year our friends got homemade bread, and hot chocolate mix wrapped in a basket with celophane(sp?) and the recipie. Our friends gave us cookie dough in a chinese take out box, with a cookie dough scoop. Our kids get 4ish gifts each. We dont' have a set amount we spend each year, but usually we only spend $200 total on everyone including family and friends.My parent's are hard to shop for. They usually get framed artwork that the kids made them. My dh's parents usually get a calendar from their kids, we all pitch in $$ and upload photos to shutterfly...that way they have a personalized calendar of their kids and grandkids. My siblings and I rotate every year with gift buying. I buy for my brother this year, and he buys for my family. Next year I have my sister to buy for. My dh's family doesnt' rotate and it has caused a lot of anger with some members of the family. We have told everyone that we should rotate and they all say that everyone should buy for everyone. So we told them that if we don't rotate we can't afford to get everyone gifts so we will just not get anyone gifts. There are some pretty upset family members at us for that and they constantly harass us about it. My dh has 5 siblings all but 2 are married and the married ones have 1-3 kids each. If we could even do family gifts...you know...1 gift to each family that would be ok with me....but they all want 1-3 gifts per person. To me that is extremely selfish and doesn't fit with the real reason why we celebrate Christmas. Anyways...I have started shopping, but havent' found anything yet...I like to get a head start so I don't have to rush out on Christmas eve. )
This is the blog I found and if you click on the links you find the really inexpensive seller of beans. Even on ebay at that. I think it would be your preference as to which beans you use since some are cheaper than others. http://eggsonsunday.wordpress.com/2009/05/08/homemade-vanilla-extract-recipe/ http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Vanilla-Products-USA__W0QQ_armrsZ1 http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?/topic/103205-the-make-your-own-vanilla-extract-experiment/ http://www.vanillaproductsusa.com/servlet/StoreFront
Gosh, I am still trying to get through the birthdays. Yet I do need to get on the ball and start early this year.
Thanks Rhi! I ordered a sampler vanilla bean packet to play with. I think that is such an awesome idea!! My vanilla I got from Mexico is about to run out and I am SUPER sad about that..... so I am dying to try something that I can make
this is the beginning of a placemat purse. i am going to make some for gifts. i have to add the handles and an accent, like buttons or ribbon, and then it is done. it costs about $5 to make, and will take about 4 hours total to sew by hand, if you had a machine you could whip out in 30 min, so i need to get my machine fixed. im thinking chocolate ribbon for an accent?? what do you thinK? i will put pic in next post
this is a light duty purse, i didnt put pockets or anything, no zipper, just snap, bc im doing by hand, but figured it would be great for those trips you just want to take a few things, not your whole honking purse or my bible and a notebook, etc. im keeping this one, just to try, and im buying the rest of the stuff to make the others today.
That's so CUTE!!!!! I love it!!!! Are the directions for it online? Alexis made stuff last year for everyone for x-mas and I bet she would love to make that!! Am I right - it just looks folded and sewed? Ooooooo - you guys rock
I just learned how to make these from my friend that sells them at her craft store. They are cute, easy and fun to make! Using her sewing machine and time to add handles/embellishments she puts no more than an hour and $5.00 into hers and sells them for $10.
Your welcome. I tend to buy my vanilla from costco since a big bottle of it is like 8 bucks, but I can't wait to try and make this kind and see which one will really be better.
My grandma crochets the best pot holders ever I have two that I've had over 10 years that are still going strong. I am hoping to learn how to make them and make some for her now since she's not able to anymore.
I know the mexican vanilla I have is WAY better than the stuff at Costco.... and I'm HOPING that the homemade stuff will be the same. I plan on putting a slice of the vanilla bean in it so people can "replenish" their supply
