The Cheapest Christmas, EV...
During the summer, I had an idea. I was reading an article on Upcycling. The term caught my eye but it was an age old idea of turning something already existing into a new product with a new purpose…. recycling if you may…… Then, I found the coolest book from the library, Eco Craft: Recycle, Recraft, Restyle by Susan Wasinger. The ideas Ms. Wasinger presented was mind blowing! She made lamp shades out of milk jugs. OOOOHHHH So Cool! Well, to say the least, it was time to challenge “Team Dettra” on a new Christmas gift giving concept.
The guidelines are very simple and our goal is to have a “free” Christmas.
1. All gifts are to be hand-made from materials we already have….. we will not be running to Wal-Mart and Home Depot this year. Borrowing material is acceptable. Example: If we run out of glue, we can borrow our neighbor’s.
2. Craft gifts are acceptable if we have the materials on hand. If a scarf is going to be crocheted, we use the yarn in our basket.
3. Upcycling is encouraged. I have been collecting various jars, jugs, and other what-nots to use in our project.
4. Baking is accepted as long as if we already have the ingredients and containers. Trust me, I have been stocking up throughout the year…..And, I found a great book from the library, Simply Homemade: Food Gifts more than 325 ideas for delicious foods and pretty packages. The book illustrates recycled jars and how to package food in a very unique way.
5. Wrapping paper will not be bought this year. We will use what we already have…..if we run out we will be creative in our wrapping.
6. All the while, the planning, designing and making should be done with the person in mind with love and gratitude. We want the gifts to be special.
I know our family is up to the challenge. We may be skimping on the cost of Christmas but there is a over abundance of love going into our gifts.
God Bless……
Leave a comment
Related posts:
November 18th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
GO TEAM DETTRA!!!
I remember as a young child getting presents wrapped in grocery sacks that were colored on and the funnies from the Sunday newspaper!
Now a days my family just hands the gift over in the sack it was purchased in. ie: Walmart sack.