by Hope
I can’t wait to share with you some of my gifts I’m making. But I’m really enjoying the process of finding things around the house, mostly things we would normally trash or recycle and seeing what I can make out of them that would be both practical and a craft worth giving.
So I’ve got these 1/2 gallon milk jars, glass, that I’ve been trying to find something to do with. For this I have LOVED Pinterest. So I’m stuck between painting them and making them – gratefulness jars – you know where you write little notes of praises or compliments and drop them in the jar. I thought if I did one for each child, then on Christmas they’d get a decorated bottle full of notes to read. Or doing some kind of recipe in a jar of some sort for teacher gifts. I see lots of these with the smaller jars, but not sure it would work with this size.
My other thought is to take some plain clipboards which I have around from homeschooling and decorate them with paint, paper and other stuff for teachers at the co op. I’ve actually done this in the past, but we’ve got lots of new teachers, and more importantly I’ve got ALL the supplies on hand to make them.
I’m also making a ton of homemade soap. This was more of a practical way to save some money. I buy the supplies in bulk and have made my own for years due to the kids sensitive and dry skin. So I’m thinking I can maybe wrap some of it up nicely as gifts too.
So I’m really working on this…it takes my time and attention off the difficulties at hand, uses up supplies I have on hand, and most importantly gets me set up for what could be a nice Christmas.
Two questions…
- Have any great craft, gift ideas I could do with 1/2 gallon glass milk jugs?
- What are your go to crafty gifts that you are proud to give?
I am thankful for this season in my life. I get to spend every moment with my children. I continue to make improvements to how I manage my “stuff” and my money, learning more every day. And I’m super excited on what is coming right around the corner for us!
Hope is a creative, solutions-focused business manager helping clients grow their business and work more efficiently by leveraging expertise in project management, digital marketing, & tech solutions. She’s recently become an empty nester as her 5 foster/adoptive kids have spread their wings. She lives with her 5 dogs in a small town in NE Georgia and prefers the mountains to the beaches any day. She struggles with the travel bug and is doing her best to help each of her kids as their finish schooling and become independent (but it’s hard!) She has run her own consulting company for almost twenty years! Hope began sharing her journey with the BAD community in the Spring of 2015 and feels like she has finally in a place to really focus on making wise financial decisions.
I LOVE the idea of gratefulness jars for the kids’ presents! I also think the decorated clipboards are good for new teachers and/or soaps for the old teachers. I have a dear friend who makes homemade soaps and packages them in pretty wrapping and ribbon and I love receiving them as gifts! They are gorgeous, great for sensitive skin, and just knowing the time and love that went into them warms my heart!
Also, just FYI, if you still have extra milk jars leftover you can recycle them. I know that Sprouts (not sure if its in your area) gives grocery credit if you take in glass milk jugs. You might get paid from recycling places, too (so it’s not just a donation, it’s something where you can actually make a little bit of money).
Thanks, Ashley, I thought it might be something that they would appreciate…maybe when they are a little older moreso than now. But I like the idea too.
I know this has nothing to do with money or getting out of debt, but would you be willing to share your soap recipe?
I would be happy to; however, I don’t really follow a recipe anymore…it changes every time based on what supplies I have on hand. I use lye calculator, normally this one: http://soapcalc.net/calc/soapcalcwp.asp to make sure my ratios are right. I always use real lye, not pour and melt, and then a variety of oils. Rarely do I add oils and never coloring. Very plain but effective soap that has kept eczema and dry skin at bay for years. If you have specific questions, I’d be happy to answer them.
Thanks Hope! My skin’s been getting pretty dry with winter coming, so I think I need to try something different.