Homemade Gifts for Christmas

We have decided to make some of the gifts we are giving to each other for Christmas this year. Before Pamela arrived we purchased a large stocking, various stocking stuffer items, and supplies to make a special gift for her new apartment. Jennifer decorated the stocking as part of her gift for her sister. Then she helped me frame some photos we had taken from a previous visit, and a couple others from more recent times as her gift from all of us.

Pamela's Stocking
(design by Jenn)

Here Pamela's is trying to sneak a peak
into her stocking, imagine that!

Pamela is wearing her part of her scarf and glove set
while opening some of the stocking stuffer items.
Although she doesn't have a microwave she says
she can fix her hot cocoa on the stove. Her stocking was
filled with all sorts of goodies including fruit, gum,
tootsie roll bank, a small calendar, and a small framed
photo of her boyfriend.

This is the finished framed gift of photographs.
Beginning with the top left and continuing clockwise:
Ryan (the rock star); Pamela and Jenn;
Pamela (a model photo); and Pamela, me, and Jenn

Christmas Gift Ideas

Yes, it's that time of year when my children start giving me their Christmas gift ideas. They want to make sure I have enough time to shop around for the items off their lists. This is when I incorporate the help of family members; I contact each of them with those same gift ideas and we all pull together. As my son ages though, he has more often asked for gift cards or cash. He's has come to the conclusion that it's easier to get what you want with those gifts than to have to return items that don't quite fit. Either way, they are always thankful for the presents they receive and have fun giving too!

Next up is what to get my parents? They are harder to shop for since they usually have everything they desire. One thing they don't have is a recent photograph of my four brothers and me. We've not had a professional one taken together since ... shhhhh ... 1970 ... and a home photo in 1980, far too long ago. I'd love to get all four of my brothers together to have a picture taken to give to my parents. It would be wonderful to one taken and framed by this Christmas as their gift. Perhaps our annual gathering on Thanksgiving will be the perfect opportunity for a photo opp. Not to worry, my parents never read my blogs so the secret is safe!

I wonder if I'll get what I'm wishing for this Christmas? ;)