Need a quick and easy Holiday gift? Mug mixes are sure to please elderly persons who live alone, bachelors and college kids who live in dorms. All you need is a microwaveable mug and a few key ingredients. Check this link for recipes: http://www.budget101.com/mugmixes.htm
You can buy these mugs at http://www.uniquetreasuresoftheworld.net/CHRISTMASACCENTS.html
Update 9/2010: Rum is even better than Vodka in this recipe and costs the same.
Vanilla Orchid photo Courtesy of www.natureproducts.net
Real Vanilla extract is one of those expensive things (like butter) that I won’t compromise on. While store bought vanilla is outrageously expensive, real vanilla extract is easy to make and fairly inexpensive. It only requires 2 ingredients , Vodka and vanilla beans, and 6 weeks of time. I buy the cheapest vodka I can get from Wal-mart. The largest bottle lasted me 5 years and I used it for everything from cleaning wounds to countertops. It’s not for drinking! I bought my vanilla beans for a steal off E-bay and was very happy. Tip: Don’t freeze them! Vanilla beans are the expensive part of the recipe so shop around a lot before you buy.
Directions: Cut 4 vanilla beans into 1″ lengths. Split open to release the seeds. Put all of the pieces and seeds into a glass quart jar. Fill with vodka and seal tightly. Shake well. Place out of direct sunlight and shake several times a day. 6 weeks later strain and bottle into cute bottles. Oil decanters from Old Time Pottery have caught my eye and look like they would work well. Currently I’m using a recycled sparkling grape juice bottle.
This would make an excellent gift for Christmas, but you need to start NOW!
Consider the joy a box of crayon brings! (And for only twenty cents for a 24 color box.) Some of the cutest coloring books can be found at $1 shops too! A ream of inexpensive white paper for completely orginal artistic expressions makes the gift complete. Have time to sew? Why not make an adorable crayon roll to hold them all together? Crayon boxes don't hold up very long and it can be hard to see the color you want–crayon rolls don't have that problem. And they don't make a sound if you accidentally drop one during church! For a great tutorial try this one from Skip to My Lou: http://www.skiptomylou.org/2007/04/25/on-a-roll/
Go a step further and make a crayon apron so the little artist will always have her tools at hand! Here's a tutorial for a simple butcher style apron: http://djsgemstones.blogspot.com/2008/07/easy-crayon-apron-for-little-artist-in.html There are also some adorable half apron styles available from Cberry at her Etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5375558
A crayon tote keeps all your crayons handy and gives you a place to store your coloring books and drawing paper. I can see this on a cute hook in a child's room keeping everything ready to go and easy to grab for an outing. I have misplaced my source for this picture–so if you own it, please e-mail me so I can give you credit and a link to your store!
You Can Make This dot Com, has a couple of great free patterns out for 18" doll skirts. They are designed for Toys for Tots. I love this idea. Our Christmas budget is pretty tight , but I have tons of fabric scraps. My 8yo and 5yo daughters and I whipped out the wrap skirt this afternoon in less than an hour. My 8yo was able to put every stitch in herself. I plan to get her started on a pile of skirts for Toys for Tots. I'll upload a picture when I get my digital camera back. (It's a long story) Get your free patterns here: http://youcanmakethis.com/info/free/FREE-Make-Twirls-for-Girls-for-Toys-for-Tots.htm