I was reading old archived posts at www.beingfrugal.net and in one of the posts there was comment by a reader with an idea I JUST LOVED!! and felt I had to share it here.
The orignal purpose of this comment was on how to make your Christmas "greener" by not wrapping gifts (save paper= saved trees and less garbage to our landfills) but I just love it because I know my kids would love it and I think I may try it this year (like I really need to add to my Holiday To Do List) anyway.. here is the idea.
Instead of wrapping all the gifts for your children- hide them instead!! Like a scavenger hunt. They would wake up on Christmas morning to find one gift each wrapped under the tree and an envelope in the branches of the tree with a clue as to where to go to find another gift. If the clue leads them to the hall closet- there they each find one more gift (unwrapped) and another clue. Continue with the clues until all the gifts have been found.
At Easter we do a scavenger to find their Easter baskets. The Easter bunny leaves a clue on the coffee table and leads them all over the house. After about 10 clues- the last clue will lead them to their Easter baskets and some gifts. They love this and ask for Scavenger Hunts all the the time.
This summer I went to the dollar store and bought a bunch of stuff and put it all in a box, then wrote clues for all over the backyard, and other outside areas. At the end of the clues they found the "treasure" (the box of dollar store items). They thought it was awesome.
So a Christmas scavenger hunt might be great!! My only concern is that- at our house- Santa brings a few gifts and mom & dad also put gifts under the tree for xmas morning. And since my 8year old is already beginning to doubt santa exists- to have a savanger hunt that "Mom & Santa" did together would totally blow my cover.
I am thinking of putting the gifts from santa under the tree and a note from Mom & Dad in the tree branches that would be the first clue to find the "Mom & Dad" gifts. Although the original purpose of this was to make a greener Christmas, with no wrapping, I would wrap my gifts anyway. Not that I don't want to be green but I have already wrapped their gifts for this year- and unwrapping them now wouldn't save any trees or make any less garbage.
So here is what I am thinking. This would work well this year for several reasons. The first being this is a leaner than normal Christmas so it is not like there was going to be a giant piles of gifts under the tree anyway- this may make the few gifts seem more exciting. Second, it will make the Christmas morning activites take a bit longer. I am thinking of having them run around finding the gifts but having them bring each one back to the tree before we move onto the next clue and then once all the gifts are found- then we will sit down by the tree and open all the gifts. Third, this year, by chance, I have the same number of gifts for each child. This does not always happen. I have a budget I follow and a certian dollar amount I stick to for each child- therefore, ususally- I end up with a varying amount of gifts- but they all add up to the same amount of money. This year I just happen to have 7 gifts for each of them that are from Mom & Dad. Also, the gifts are smaller (not cheaper- just smaller in size). Think iShuffle not Rose Petal Cottage. This will make hiding them easy this year.
So this would be a great year to try this. I am not sure I would do it every year. I think the novelty of it would wear off. But if I can think of some good hiding places, some good clues, and get it all put together "cute" so it really makes an impression on them. I will do it this year.
I'll keep you posted on how it goes.
Showing posts with label Green Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Green Christmas. Show all posts
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Cute Craft Ideas with What You Already Have
I have seem some really cute crafts around the blogosphere. I wanted to share a these two because they are soo cute and soo simple and both can be done with things you may already have laying around your house...
Over at The Homespun Heart- there is a cute craft to create "In the name of Jesus Garland". This would be great if I still worked at the church, but is so simple and looks so nice that it would be great for just decorating your house. And if you are not the religious person- instead of names for Jesus- each tag on the garland could also says things like:
Memories of 2008 (write about a memory in each tag- or put a picture- but that's more work)
Goals / Hopes/ Dreams for 2009
Things I/We are Thankful For This Year
People I Love
The ideas could go on and on... check it out at
http://www.thehomespunheart.blogspot.com/2008/12/names-of-jesus-garland-tutorial.html
The second idea comes from Jenn over at Frugal Upstate, where she makes Paperclip Angels. I could totally see my sister doing this at work- using the paperclips on her desk. (she's very crafty).. but you do need a few other things- like ribbon and a silver bead.. but it is soo cute!
Check it out at
http://www.frugalupstate.blogspot.com/2008/11/easy-childrens-christmas-craft.html
Over at The Homespun Heart- there is a cute craft to create "In the name of Jesus Garland". This would be great if I still worked at the church, but is so simple and looks so nice that it would be great for just decorating your house. And if you are not the religious person- instead of names for Jesus- each tag on the garland could also says things like:
Memories of 2008 (write about a memory in each tag- or put a picture- but that's more work)
Goals / Hopes/ Dreams for 2009
Things I/We are Thankful For This Year
People I Love
The ideas could go on and on... check it out at
http://www.thehomespunheart.blogspot.com/2008/12/names-of-jesus-garland-tutorial.html
The second idea comes from Jenn over at Frugal Upstate, where she makes Paperclip Angels. I could totally see my sister doing this at work- using the paperclips on her desk. (she's very crafty).. but you do need a few other things- like ribbon and a silver bead.. but it is soo cute!
Check it out at
http://www.frugalupstate.blogspot.com/2008/11/easy-childrens-christmas-craft.html
Hope you enjoy some easy crafting!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Two Notes
I now have 2 followers!! Yea!!!
On my last post I talked about Experience gifts and I forgot one that I think is really cute for kids (or even adults).
Create a "Treat of the Month" Club! Create the "flyer" or card or booklet that will show them what they are getting each month. And on the first weekend of each month, mail or hand-deliver, a diferent treat to the child or children. How much of the treat you send each month might depend on how many kids or people are in the family you are it sending to. Treats might include: January- New Year's Brownies, February- Red Velvet cupcakes, March- Green Rice Krispie Treats. You get the idea.
I thought it was a really cute idea!
On my last post I talked about Experience gifts and I forgot one that I think is really cute for kids (or even adults).
Create a "Treat of the Month" Club! Create the "flyer" or card or booklet that will show them what they are getting each month. And on the first weekend of each month, mail or hand-deliver, a diferent treat to the child or children. How much of the treat you send each month might depend on how many kids or people are in the family you are it sending to. Treats might include: January- New Year's Brownies, February- Red Velvet cupcakes, March- Green Rice Krispie Treats. You get the idea.
I thought it was a really cute idea!
Simple, Green & a Little Frugal Christmas Ideas
Holiday gifts don't need to be elaborate or expensive, the best gifts are the most thoughtful. Many gifts given today are "stuff", which takes up space, clutters our lives and in the end gets thrown away and fills our landfils. Here are some simple and green Holiday gift ideas (some are frugal, some not so much).
The two best types of Green Gifts usually take a bit of thought about who you are buying for and what they are interested in, but once you have an idea they are easy to put together and in most cases not to bad on the wallet either. I'll call them Experience Gifts and Comsumable Gifts.
Experience Gifts can be a bit costly, but are very easy on the enviorment. These gifts involve doing something, not purchasing a "thing" to clutter up your home. Experience gifts are things like theather tickets, tickets to a ball game, or certificate to a restuarant. Everyone has heard of these things, they are not new, but maybe you've nevered looked at it a being green, yet it is!
To move beyond the usual tickets as experiences, which can get very expensive, you can be a bit creative and make a very memorable experience of your own. How about a trip to the movies, taking a younger relative to mini-golf and ice cream, bowling and pizza, or an afternoon of baking cookies. How you package these gifts can be the key to the excitement. For an afternoon of baking cookies, create a "certifitcate" or "coupon" for Cookie Lessons with "Aunt Laura" (get it- like- cooking lessons, but with cookies) you can tie it to a package of sugar cookie mix, a few small cookie cutters and a child sized rolling pin, all wrapped in a bow. Children tend to need that instant gratification, so attaching a small item to the certificate is always good. For baseball tickets attach a pack of baseball cards. For movie passes attach a big box of snowcaps. I always encouarge "experience gifts" for my kids birthdays.Because the last thing they need it more "stuff". Their birthdays are just before school lets out for summer, so it gives them a bunch of fun afternoons to start off their summer vacations.
The second type of gift I'll call a comsumable gift. These are things that people would purchase and use anyway, you're just putting it together in a gift form. This gift has the quick chance of being corny, cheap or gimicey, if you are not careful to be very thoughtful in what you buy. These gifts are more like your traditional "gift baskets". But I warn not to buy the pre-made baskets at the drug store. These tend to be full of cheap items and knick-knacks or junk. If you know someone who likes candles , filling a basket with dollar-store candles probably won't meet their standards. And a true hobbiest, golfer, or gardener won't use the items in the pre-made set becasue they aren't the "brand" they prefer. But if you know someone's interests, really know what types, styles and brands they prefer. Putting together your own basket of a few smaller (less expensive) items, that you know they will like, into a gift set, really shows you care and that you put some thought into it. And remember it is better to get a few small items you know they will love then a ton of "junk" they won't use, because the ton of junk is just headed right to the back of the closet or even the dump.
Consumables are great because you are buying what this person would have otherwise bought for themselves. It adds less waste to the enviroment, and does not clutter up their house as it is something they will "use up". Here are some ideas for consumables:
For an animal lover:
their pet's favorite treat
a new leash or toy for their pet
pet brush or "messy bag" refils
For the Car lover:
Bucket filled with
car wash, car wax
new sponge
shamois
For the golfer:
set of 3 golf balls (make sure you know the brand they like)
sm. bag of tees, ball marker
or "key" for repairing ball marks
(Do Not buy the plastic drink dispenser that looks like a golf club and goes in their golf bag- this is where the "junk" or "kitch" would be bad)
For the candle lover:
be sure to know the brand and scents they like!
1-2 votives
snuffer
bic Candle lighter (one that pivots- is great)
Last year I asked for 2 "baskets" from my family- I was specific in what I would llike in them and I did receive the "cleaning" one. To share my idea I will tell you what I had asked for, with specific brands.
My "Cleaning " basket:
A new "caddy" to hold it all
scrubber sponges, regular sponges
Lysol all-purpose spray (I love this stuff & use it on everything- kitchen/bathrooms-everyroom)
Comet
Windex wipes
Pledge wipes
Magic Erasers
I had also asked for a "bathroom" basket, but did not get it, but I will share what might be in such an item:
For the bathroom (this basket you would really, really need to know the person or family)
5 new toothbrushes (one for each person in my house)
Kids Crest Toothpaste (the only kind my kids will use)
Adult toothpast - any kind will do
Q-Tips
Flossers
Kids Act Rinse- bubble gum flavor
Soap Soft pump dispenser- any scent
Two new hand towels and matching washcloths
I hope this helps you to think creatively about what you are buying people this year.Think Green! Think experience and consumable! Use a little imagination & take some time to think and then the actual buying should be easy. If you noticed most of these items can be purchased while you are doing your grocery shopping or a quick click on-line. Both save gas (go green) and do not cause you to waste time driving all over town.
The two best types of Green Gifts usually take a bit of thought about who you are buying for and what they are interested in, but once you have an idea they are easy to put together and in most cases not to bad on the wallet either. I'll call them Experience Gifts and Comsumable Gifts.
Experience Gifts can be a bit costly, but are very easy on the enviorment. These gifts involve doing something, not purchasing a "thing" to clutter up your home. Experience gifts are things like theather tickets, tickets to a ball game, or certificate to a restuarant. Everyone has heard of these things, they are not new, but maybe you've nevered looked at it a being green, yet it is!
To move beyond the usual tickets as experiences, which can get very expensive, you can be a bit creative and make a very memorable experience of your own. How about a trip to the movies, taking a younger relative to mini-golf and ice cream, bowling and pizza, or an afternoon of baking cookies. How you package these gifts can be the key to the excitement. For an afternoon of baking cookies, create a "certifitcate" or "coupon" for Cookie Lessons with "Aunt Laura" (get it- like- cooking lessons, but with cookies) you can tie it to a package of sugar cookie mix, a few small cookie cutters and a child sized rolling pin, all wrapped in a bow. Children tend to need that instant gratification, so attaching a small item to the certificate is always good. For baseball tickets attach a pack of baseball cards. For movie passes attach a big box of snowcaps. I always encouarge "experience gifts" for my kids birthdays.Because the last thing they need it more "stuff". Their birthdays are just before school lets out for summer, so it gives them a bunch of fun afternoons to start off their summer vacations.
The second type of gift I'll call a comsumable gift. These are things that people would purchase and use anyway, you're just putting it together in a gift form. This gift has the quick chance of being corny, cheap or gimicey, if you are not careful to be very thoughtful in what you buy. These gifts are more like your traditional "gift baskets". But I warn not to buy the pre-made baskets at the drug store. These tend to be full of cheap items and knick-knacks or junk. If you know someone who likes candles , filling a basket with dollar-store candles probably won't meet their standards. And a true hobbiest, golfer, or gardener won't use the items in the pre-made set becasue they aren't the "brand" they prefer. But if you know someone's interests, really know what types, styles and brands they prefer. Putting together your own basket of a few smaller (less expensive) items, that you know they will like, into a gift set, really shows you care and that you put some thought into it. And remember it is better to get a few small items you know they will love then a ton of "junk" they won't use, because the ton of junk is just headed right to the back of the closet or even the dump.
Consumables are great because you are buying what this person would have otherwise bought for themselves. It adds less waste to the enviroment, and does not clutter up their house as it is something they will "use up". Here are some ideas for consumables:
For an animal lover:
their pet's favorite treat
a new leash or toy for their pet
pet brush or "messy bag" refils
For the Car lover:
Bucket filled with
car wash, car wax
new sponge
shamois
For the golfer:
set of 3 golf balls (make sure you know the brand they like)
sm. bag of tees, ball marker
or "key" for repairing ball marks
(Do Not buy the plastic drink dispenser that looks like a golf club and goes in their golf bag- this is where the "junk" or "kitch" would be bad)
For the candle lover:
be sure to know the brand and scents they like!
1-2 votives
snuffer
bic Candle lighter (one that pivots- is great)
Last year I asked for 2 "baskets" from my family- I was specific in what I would llike in them and I did receive the "cleaning" one. To share my idea I will tell you what I had asked for, with specific brands.
My "Cleaning " basket:
A new "caddy" to hold it all
scrubber sponges, regular sponges
Lysol all-purpose spray (I love this stuff & use it on everything- kitchen/bathrooms-everyroom)
Comet
Windex wipes
Pledge wipes
Magic Erasers
I had also asked for a "bathroom" basket, but did not get it, but I will share what might be in such an item:
For the bathroom (this basket you would really, really need to know the person or family)
5 new toothbrushes (one for each person in my house)
Kids Crest Toothpaste (the only kind my kids will use)
Adult toothpast - any kind will do
Q-Tips
Flossers
Kids Act Rinse- bubble gum flavor
Soap Soft pump dispenser- any scent
Two new hand towels and matching washcloths
I hope this helps you to think creatively about what you are buying people this year.Think Green! Think experience and consumable! Use a little imagination & take some time to think and then the actual buying should be easy. If you noticed most of these items can be purchased while you are doing your grocery shopping or a quick click on-line. Both save gas (go green) and do not cause you to waste time driving all over town.
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