Plans and Prayer Video

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Plans and Prayer

Homemade, Handmade, Heartmade Gift Ideas

Do you love a homemade Christmas? I do! Everything just seems like it means a bit more when you've put your time, effort, and care into it. Homemade, handmade, heartmade, thrifty, money saving gifts can be a blessing to the giver and the receiver. It doesn't happen overnight though. Okay, I admit it. I've been the crazy mom sewing on Christmas Eve and trying to finish wrapping. I don't want to do that anymore!

Now is the perfect time to start brainstorming what you want your Christmas to be like this year. If that is to include homemade gifts, it's never too early to start. Here are some ideas to get you going. It's easy to find tutorials on YouTube or Pinterest. I've added a few links to get you started. 

Homemade Gift Ideas

Paper Craft

~ decorated recipe cards (could add recipes and ingredients)

~ homemade greeting cards

~ scrapbook

~ family recipe book (This was a big project and a big hit with my adult kids last year.)

From the Needles

~ tribbles I love these little cotton dish scrubbies.

~ dishcloths 

~ aprons 

~ hotpads

~ mittens

~ doll clothes

~ skirt

~ tablet stand

~ camera bean bag

~ key chain

~ Christmas stockings

~ hair baubles

~ casserole hot pad

~ drawstring bags

~ kitchen curtains

~ tote bag

~ pillow cases

~ ornaments

~ crocheted chains for hair ribbons

~ tea towels

~ doilies

~ pacifier clip

~ feminine necessity bag

~ earbud pouch

~ baby bib

~ tea wallet

~ pin cushion

~ shawl

~ slippers

~ socks

~ cape

~ camera strap

~ Bible cover

~ mug rug

~ tissue holder

Crafted

~ ornaments

~ magnets

~ candles

~ soap

~ coasters

From the Kitchen

~ cookies

~ homemade vanilla

~ recipe scrapbook with photos or on large cards

~ bread

~ quick breads

~ candy

~ homemade mixes

Acts of Service

~ all clothes ironed

~ clean out car

~ babysitting

Be creative! Your imagination and ingenuity can make a thrifty budget stretch far! 

Happy Making, 

and

Happy Christmasing!

Laura

Autumn Thoughts in Rhyme

Leaves just tinged red and gold

The slightest chill on the breeze

Sun playing hide and seek

Can we read in the tree, please?

Pulling out the recipes

for all the soups and stews

It's still dark in the morning

Just one more time—hit snooze

Crafting, cooking, reading, cleaning

Learning, planning, dreaming

Secret plans for Christmas gifts
Talking about the holidays and scheming!

Blessings,

Laura Lane

~~~~~

Memories in the making...

memories made.

0913

An Autumn Dream

     Isn't this just dreamy?  I can just imagine the aroma of woodsmoke drifting on the air as my husband steps onto the front porch after a long day at the work...replaced, upon entering, by beef stew simmering on the stove and the house lit with fragrant cinnamon spice candles.  

     After dinner, he'd hear the familiar scritch scratch of my whisk on the bottom of our saucepan as I prepare homemade cocoa to enjoy with big fluffy marshmallows.  He'd settle into a comfortable chair by the fire and open his favorite read aloud—Little House in the Big Woods.  Ah-- a girl can dream! 

     Some of those things can come true right where we are in our humble little cottage.  Just a little work here and there and I can make this a comfortable and welcoming place for my husband and me.  It's Autumn and time for some cleaning and feathering my nest.

     God bless you all!

Laura
Choosing Contentment

Picture credit:  Feathering Your Nest newsletter from Gooseberry Patch.

~~~~~

May I suggest?

An Autumn Mix of Warming Soups and Stews

~~~~~