Christmas Crafts

Our holidays are very relaxed around here.  I decorated a little around the main room of the house, and we did a few Christmas themed crafts here and there, but nothing major.  I have, and doubt I ever will be, one who goes "all out" on holidays.

That all being said, we did attempt 2 crafts this year: A hand print Christmas Tree, and salt dough hand prints.  The tree turned out really cute I think.  The hand impressions turned out well, could have been better though.  I am really just not sure what I want to do with them now.  I was going to let the boys paint them and turn them into ornaments, but they are just too big and heavy I think....so now I will probably just let them paint them and give them as gifts as is.  The grandparents can figure out what they want to use them for ;-)

Making the salt dough

hand prints - ready to go into the oven

....Trying to get a good photo

Presents for the Family

If y'all are anything like me, you focus all your energy onto finding and buying the perfect presents for your kiddos.  And let's face it, that's where 99% of your holiday budget goes!

Skipping right over presents for you and the hubby, what are you supposed to buy grandparents, GREAT grandparents, aunts, uncles, and the rest of those family members???  Bring in one of my most favorite gifts to give...the Shutterfly Photobooks.

I LOVE scrap booking, LOVE IT!  But I have not scraped one single page since Braden was born, NOT ONE!  I "discovered" the photo books a few years ago.  It's basically scrap booking, except you can make a zillion copies of it, so EVERY family member/household can get their own copy of my "scrap book".

I did buy Photoshop Elements 10 this year, and have been playing with it throughout the year.  The idea for next year is to digi-scrap pages on elements throughout the year, and then just simply upload them as full page photos onto Shutterfly, or another like photo book software.  The only reason I use Shutterfly now, is because I like their software interface and the options they have. 

I also make/give these as gifts throughout the year.  For example, if we went on vacation that summer, I will make one for that set of grandparents (and order a copy for our house as well).

I don't claim to be a pro at this by any means, but they serve a purpose, and I think they look good :)  Feel free to take a look at the past couple books I have made.  You will just have to wait to see this years book...but here is a sneak peak at the cover ;-)

1. Christmas 2010 Book
2. East Coast Trip 2011
3. Christmas 2011 Book

365 Memory Project

Okay, I credit this post to Pintrest as well, but another GREAT idea!  My only regret is I wish I found it sooner!!!!

Basically it's a fun, cute, and organized way to keep track of the daily memories that we all forget, in my case the crazy things the boys say and do.  It is a calendar and journal all in one.  I have not decided which route I am going to go yet, but I thought I would share both with everyone.

Option 1: Creating a DIY calendar box.  This one is a DIY, so I could potentially make extras to give as gifts for Christmas while I am making mine.  This post comes from Kate Pruitt at Design Sponge.  The only downside I see of this, is cards being lost. 

Option 2: One Line a Day: A Five-Year Memory Book (to give credit where credit is due, I saw a blog post about this on Simplify by Camille Roskelley) - I feel that this one might be easier for me to keep track of, just because it is all in one place, and I wont have to worry about the little ones getting into it and losing a day.  The downside, it only has space for 5 years...but thats a start right, and who says I can't have multiple books?

Lots of things to consider before January 1st (I figure since it's right around the corner that will be the best day to start).  But I don't think I could go wrong with either option!

I hope this inspires you to start your own 365 project too :) And some of you might know what you're getting for Christmas now ;-)

-Paige