Gifts

I am in the gift giving mood. 

I am already making out my Christmas gift list, and I have even started buying a few things on that list.  It is so nice to be ahead of the game.

I like putting together gifts for other occasions as well.  I even like to put something together for someone just because.

I have come to realize how a small gift can make a huge difference in someone’s day. 

I haven’t always been good at gift giving. 

I am still learning, and trying to be better at it.

Here are a few bits of info that I believe is good to think about when it comes to gift giving.

1. an unexpected gift is the best kind of gift

2. it doesn’t have to cost much

3. sometimes a simple card or thank you in the mail is one of the most beautiful gifts

4. how you package the gift says that you spent time putting it together

5. a gift shows love for someone that you care about

6. pick up inexpensive items as you see them, and store them away so that you have something when you need it

7.I like consumable gifts that can be used up

8. I also think it is fun to give something that someone might not buy for themself

 

Here is an idea of a fun gift that I sent to my sister in law who recently had a baby. It is killing me that I can’t snuggle the precious little thing.  I am also dying inside that he could possibly be one before we get to see him.  Sometimes it just stinks living away from our family.  The fact that I can’t hold little newbies born into our family is one of the downfalls. So I send them gifts.

I just had to put two packages together.

One for the baby, and one for her four other children.  I think they needed a little something too.

I found a fun outfit for the new little man.  (Hint: if you buy a bigger size for a baby, you can usually find something on sale or clearance because it is out of season.  I always liked getting something that my baby could wear in the future.)

My favorite part was putting them together in these neat boxes. 

This is one example of the fun present tools I stock up on.  I found these in the Target $$$ spot.  I find the dollar spots at Michaels and Target to have great tools for gift giving. Tags, stickers, twine, boxes, and notecards have been just a few things I stock up on from these places.

I made a tag with names on them from cardstock and left over scrapbook stickers.

I used twine to tie it the box.  Simple as that.

In the box for my nieces and nephew and new baby older siblings, I sent cookie making supplies.

I kept it simple so that the older children could do this independently.

Pre-made frosting, sprinkles, a cookie mix and cookie cutters give the kids something to look forward to in the midst of all the new baby chaos(at least there is always chaos here, I am sure my SIL has it under control), and it helps them know that we are thinking of them too.

Another fun gift idea is to leave a gift for your house guests.  I recently had a few houseguests.

I enjoyed leaving them a little gift on their bed.  It was such an inexpensive gift, but I hope it told them I was thankful for them coming to see me.

I included a note with my gratitude for them making the journey. I also made sure the little people got a gift.  A water bottle just for them to use at our house was a fun addition to their little gift box.

A little bit of time and effort spent in to making someone feel special can change their day. 

I am hoping to make a better effort with this.

I am going to continue to work on my gift giving, and simple gestures.

Speaking of gifts…

This little gift was born a year ago this Thursday. 

I can’t believe it has been a year since Ruby’s birth.

To honor and celebrate her fifteen days on earth, my sister and blogger friends are hosting 15 days of giveaways.

You are not going to want to miss this.  It is going to be a tremendous way to honor such a special spirit.

Ruby was born on October 11, 2011, so Kristin will kick off the giveaways on her blog this Thursday; Ruby’s Birthday.

Then keep checking back each day as she links to a new blogger who will host a new giveaway.

Fifteen days of Ruby goodies.

 

I love that Ruby is still passing on her love.

To show your love and pass on a gift of your own, please participate in my sister’s challenge.

A random act of kindness can be such a beautiful gift.

Thanks for taking part in this, and supporting my sister and our family. 

We feel your love.

Getting my spook on.

I wish I could say that I waited until October 1st to get my spook on, but I just couldn’t.

Halloween decorating started much to early around here, but I just couldn’t help myself.

My Halloween decorations consist of lots of glitter, target $ spot finds, paper bats, dollar tree treasures, target after Halloween clearance and moss for added effect.

BOO!!

The Halloween decorating ghost even made it’s way to the playroom.  I love how excited my kids get about a few holiday decorations.  It was worth letting it spill over into their space.

Another special Halloween decoration is the kids Halloween books.  I love the way they the add a touch of spirit to the room.  If you missed our favorite reads check it out here.

Happy Haunting.

Thanks for stopping by.

Halloween Reads….

I love October!! YEAH!! It is finally here.

One of my favorite things to do during this time of year is cuddle up and read to my kiddos.

I wanted to share a few of our favorite Halloween books.

Franklin’s Halloween by Paulette Burgeois and Brenda Clark.

This happens to be my kids all time favorite book.  We got it when we lived in the Caribbean and as you can tell, it has made the journey with us to each destination.

This book even inspired both my boys to be Frankenstein or “Franklinstein” as he is known in the book, for Halloween.

My mom picked up the next two books for my kids a few years ago.  They are written by Mark Kimball Moutlton and illustrated by Karen Hillard Good. 

They have a few other holiday books that we have found to be adorable.

The illustrations are amazing…

and the message is always really sweet.

Twisted Sistahs is about three witch sisters with the most adorable names.  My kids laugh every year when I read it to them. (most of the time I am laughing too.)

Miss Fiona’s Stupendous Pumpkin Pies has an adorable message about the beauty within.

Both books rhyme which make reading them pure enjoyment.

Finally, Mouse’s first Halloween by Lauren Thomspon, and illustrated by Buket Erdogan.

This book is simple.   A perfect nap time story for a toddler.

 

It goes through fall and Halloween treasures that we look forward to each year.  It is not spooky, and does not scare young children.

It just helps get them excited about this time of year.

I love every thing about this season.  I love the feeling that is in the air.

I like to help produce that feeling at home a little too.

Good books, can always do that.

For more about children’s books, and reading to your kids; go here.

Oh, and if mother nature was trying to help play along with this holiday season, look what creepy thing was right outside my house yesterday morning. I almost walked right in to it.

He fits right in around here. 

Speaking of that; I hope to share my Halloween decorations tomorrow.

Want to sneak a peak?

ok.

Now. I. will. see. you. tomorrow.

That’s a promise.

Happy reading.

This is a typical Tessa day:

We wake up.

Everyone gets ready.

I doll-up this baby girl of mine because she loves, loves, loves, jewelry, skirts, and hair accessories.

I love having a baby doll to dress up.

She loves getting ready too. She laughs and giggles the whole time I am putting pretty clothes on her.

We get the kids to the bus.

…and then this pretty little thang, decides to un-do all the pretty.

We hadn’t even been dressed a half an hour before she plopped herself down and started in with the chalk and the water.  Yes!! Chalk and Water. In that outfit.

This is her noticing that she has chalk on her boots.

She also has blue chalk all over her shirt and sweater.

It’s either chalk, or paint, or food, or even my makeup that ends up all over our pretty little outfits.

Sometimes, we walk though the door from Stella’s bus stop and she takes all her clothes off and puts on a dress-up.

…and that is how she will roll for the rest of the day.

This pretty little hair-do was falling out by mid-morning; wrestling with your brother will do that.

Someday she will learn that once you get all pretty, you don’t want to do anything to mess it up.

I guess I should learn not to put so much effort in to it.

But I don’t.

It’s all good, because I enjoy dolling up my precious mess, and she enjoys being a kid.

So in my book; it’s a win win.

I found some time this weekend, and I scrapbooked it.

Enjoy:

P.S.  It’s the first day of my favorite month.  I am soooo excited.  I love October. 

Happy October 1st everyone.