Design Crafters

Hopefully the last few postings have gotten your creative
juices flowing with some creative ways to come up with some real unique and
custom ideas for this Christmas. Here a few more then I will go on to a new
topic.

Why not compose and print out an inspirational piece or poetry in an antique
type of font. Then paint it with a solution of tea to "age" it a little
and frame it for an unusual gift. You can even burn the edges and shellac it to
a piece of wood for an even different effect.

For adult family members or friends, print out some gift vouchers offering your
time for babysitting, housework, gardening, decorating, car washing - whatever
you can manage and think would be well received. This may not seem like much to
you, but you may be surprised at how well received something this thoughtful
will be perceived and accepted with thankfulness. Remember no one would feel
good about you sacrificing financially just to give them a gift. It is easy to
lose sight of this as we get caught up in all the advertising hype surrounding
the holidays.

Just one last thing - when it comes to your children’s stockings, fill them
with some of the following: make a video tape of their favorite movies or
television programs, ice some cookies with their initials, put together a
little craft box with colored paper, glue, their own special scissors, glue,
stickers, etc. whatever your child likes. Put a Christmas card in an envelope
with some handmade coupons for some special outings with mom that they would
like, such as a picnic at the favorite park with a friend and a lunch date at
McDonalds with Dad, etc.