Christmas 2010

Our Christmas was extra special this year. It was the first Christmas for my baby sisters little boy. And my brother-in-law, who is in the Army, was home on leave for Christmas for the first time in four years. Yep, FOUR years! It was wonderful to have him home with us. He was able to stay through New Years and got to take the yearly wheelin’ trip with his brothers! 4×4 trucks, testosterone and mud = good times!

So now, lets talk gifts!! 

For a couple of reasons this year, I decided I was going to make the majority of my Christmas gifts.

1. I felt like it would mean more to the recipient that it came from the heart (and hands). It required more of my “time & love” than the gift from the store (although those are always appreciated too). 

2. we were on a tight budget, most like every American these day. so I was able to use a lot of the materials and supplies I already had on hand (score!)

We have a pretty large “immediate” family that we buy for each year. My husband is the oldest of seven. So every year gets harder and harder, as that we all get older and older. And what do you do when you get older and you want something…you go out and BUY IT for YOURSELF!! Thus, making it hard on each other when it’s gift giving time (whether it be birthdays or Christmas). So off to my office I went to make like a little elf and produce my Christmas gifts. 

Three of my sister-in-laws have their only special gifts/talents that they are pursuing. So I focused on that when it came time to decide what i was going to make them.

One is an inspiring writer, so I made her a monogrammed mouse pad. 

Another one is an inspiring photographer. But what do you get a photographer?? So I made her a personalized camera strap. 

The “baby” (at eighteen) loves design. There wasn’t anything I could come up with for her, but I did run across the cutest “dress form” wall hanger at Hobby Lobby. I’m looking forward to seeing how she uses it. 

As for my mother-in-law…I was clueless. But honestly, I was clueless about everybody on his side of the family, except the three above. So after several texts and FB messages back and forth with my S-I-L’s, one of them came up with an idea. She was making mom an apron that had a place to hold a towel. So she suggested I give her some towels. Well, that was a great idea, except you can’t give your M-I-L JUST towels. So I got her a set and personalized them, along with a set of magnets that I made. I also included a new, sharp, knife. My husband always complains when he’s cooking in her kitchen, that there are no sharp knives. He’s very picky about his kitchen utensils. He used to complain about my moms knives as well, but we hooked her up with several new knives a couple of Christmas’ ago.

So, that’s four down, only seven more to go on my husbands side of the family!

And I had already decided it was my husbands responsibility to BUY (b/c what can you make a man? I had no clue) for the men. 

So now I’m focused on my other S-I-L and niece. She wanted a nice warm, red, blanket. Well who wouldn’t?? I’ve got seven in my den right now! Love me a good warm blanket. So, thinking, how do you make a blanket a little more personal? You monogram it. Of course! So that’s what I did. I think it turned out really well. I hope she likes it. I also made her a monogrammed frame. 

My sweet niece wanted a purple blanket, so that’s what she got! I monogrammed it for her as well. She’s four and I’m pretty sure that’s her first “monogrammed” item. At least I hope so. I also made her a couple of cute hair ribbons.

Now, on my side of the family we draw names. This year I got my mom and my husband got my B-I-L. 

I have to say…I knew exactly what I was getting my mom. Kitchen gadgets. All the gadgets my husband uses that she doesn’t have. I also made her a set of magnets. And I got her a set of photo boxes. All of our childhood photos are just thrown in a bankers box. No rhyme or reason. And I’d say 99% of them are not dated. So I bought one for each of her girls (there’s three of us). That way she can sort our pictures into our own box. Maybe we’ll work on that New Years Eve. sorry, I’m getting off the subject. I do that sometimes. 

So, as for my B-I-L…my sister suggested ammo. So I ran with that! We got him ammo and liquor. I mean, how do you go wrong with that?! It’s practical and fun. 

Then for my two nephews…the oldest one is ten and so hard to buy for. He wanted a new game for his DS or PSP or something…so that’s what he got. WWE Smack-down or something like that. My children are two and four, so I’m clueless when it comes to all these video games and consoles. My newest nephew is just three months. So he was easy. He got clothes and a glow worm. As well as a “My First Christmas” bib made by Aunt Amy.

I also made a monogrammed frame for each of my sisters. They loved them (I hope)!

See individual posts for pictures… 

Love, Play, Joy

~Amy