Posted in Homestead

Ya know what makes me crazy about Christmas?  The way the entire country is completely obsessed with stuff.  I saw on the news last night that people have been in line for 2 days waiting on the sidewalks of some stores for those Black Friday sales.  One group had Thanksgiving dinner on the sidewalk.  I wonder, isn't that some code violation?  Anyway, I had no idea it had gotten so extreme.  We have never shopped on Black Friday.  However, this year we were are needing to replace a TV, so the hubby said he would brave the masses at 5am to try to get one at a great deal.  What he found was unbelievable!

He went to our Wally World and could barely navigate the store and so went on to the next town, thinking it would be less crowded.  Not so.  The check out line was so long he left.  Next he went to Target.  The line to get in was around the corner, so he decided to wait it out and went acrosst eh street to Toys R Us.  By the time he got there, he said he couldn't believe his eyes.  The check out lines were literally wrapped all the way around the outter aisles of the store!!!  In his opinion it would have taken an hour or better to be able to check out.  So he went back to Target.  He could get in the store with ease, but once he got in he said it was mayhem.  More of the same as the other stores.  He found one random item after traying to look for a TV (which he never got) and again when he saw the check out line, he decided it wasn't worth the savings.  So he went golfing instead!

All this to say, I had no idea how bad it was out there.  I am all for saving a buck.  Anyone who visits here knows that is my thing.  But when is saving a buck not saving at all?  For me personally, I would have an anxiety attack, so I have never shopped on Black Friday.  I guess that is why I didn't realize how intense it is.  If you get a movie for $3.99 that normally cost $15.99, yet have to wait in line for 90 minutes to purchase it, what have you saved?  For me, nothing.  I would rather go without the movie.  But this is gift giving season.  Yet, why do gifts have to be so extravagant and purchased from a store? 

Most every year I make at least some gifts.  Since our olders receive 3 gifts each, we don't have much trouble shopping for them.  The littletons, well they still are Santa believin folk, so they get one from each family member and then a few from Santa.  Still, not too much shopping.  When it comes to other people, that is where the snafu comes into play.  There are some whom we give to that judge us by the gift, which really causes us to not want to give, but we do.  Why?  Well, I truly am enthralled with giving to others, so it is usually I that makes the gesture.  Then there are a few people in our lives who expect gifts, thus we give under obligation.  That said, the hubby and I do not exchange gifts.  Well, sometimes we do, but it depends.  If I find something I really want to get for the hubby, I get it; the same applies for him.  If he gets me a gift and I didn't get him one, it makes no difference.  Most years we exchange nothing.  Gift giving between us means nothing of the Christmas Season.  Hey...why am I rambling?  Someone slap me..............

Ok Thanks!  What I wanted to let you in on was the great concept of gift giving.  There are so many cool gifts you can make at home, that cost less, and mean more.  I have done bath salts, home baked goodies, gift baskets, toys, etc.  One year, our kids did not receive one store bought toy.  I refinished a 1950's doll high chair I purchased at a yard sale for $1, one of those horse heads on a stick, dolls, refinished a doll house (that had been mine as a child)  completely for free with old wall paper books, games, puppets, blocks,etc.  While I have never had a completely homemade Christmas since (it took about 6 months of work to complete all the toys), I always make some gifts. 

I can't disclose the gifts I am making this year, for some gift recipients will be reading this blog.  But just check out all the cool stuff on the internet for homemade gifts.  There is plenty of time for pulling together some great gifts!  Check out these links for ideas and instructions.

Gifts in a Jar (I always make a few of these, because people truly seem to appreciate them.)

Holiday Gifts and Crafts (I have made the journal jar twice for a very special someone...ME!)

Homemade Christmas Gifts (I check this site every year, because I can usually find some good idea for a gift the kids can make.)

Homemade (and Cheap!) Gifts (really good ideas for pulling together a nice gift)

Homemade Gifts (This site has a GREAT recipe for making cinnamon ornaments.  Your home will smell sooooo good with these hanging on your tree, so don't forget to make some for those special someones, too!)

Christmas Gifts Kids can Make (This site has an easy link section according to age, which is very helpful for those moms with not a lot of time to surf the net.)

Handmade Holidays (If you can sew, even a bit, this is a FABULOUS resource.  Some gifts are more intricate, but most are VERY simple!)

Homemade Gifts for Kids (There are some really simple yet cool gifts here.  Consider using the ideas and putting your own unique twist on it.)

Homemade Gift Basket Ideas (Great inspiration for a wide variety of gift baskets)

I have many more links, if anyone one is interested.  Just leave a comment or email me, if you are looking for a specific type of homemade gift.  Also, if you have a site that has gift ideas, be it crochet/knit projects, cooking, archival, sewing, drawing, painting, paper craft, etc, please add a link in a comment, or email me a link to add to this post! 

These are my thoughts.